CPU Comparison

Intel Core i5-670 vs Intel Core i5-750s

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-670 is the highest-clocked dual-core Clarkdale desktop processor at 3.466GHz, launched in January 2010 at a premium $284 price point.

Intel · Core i5
Intel Core i5-670
2C / 4T3.733 GHz73 W
3
Full review
Top pick
Intel · Core i5
Intel Core i5-750s
4C / 4T3.2 GHz82 W
4
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Desktop
Desktop
Segment
Desktop
Desktop
Generation
1st Gen (Nehalem successor)
1st Gen (Nehalem derivative)
Launched
2010
2010
Status
Discontinued
Discontinued
Codename
Clarkdale
Lynnfield
Series
Core i5
Core i5
Family
Clarkdale
Lynnfield
Predecessor
Intel Core i5-660
Intel Core i5-750
Successor
Intel Core i5-680
None (S-series Lynnfield ended here)

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
2
4
Threads
4
4
Base Clock
3.466 GHz
2.4 GHz
Boost Clock
3.733 GHz
3.2 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
4 MB
8 MB
TDP
73 W
82 W
Architecture
Architecture
Clarkdale
Lynnfield
Process Node
32nm
45nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1333
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
16 GB
16 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
LGA 1156
LGA 1156
PCIe Version
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
None
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i5-67017

Slightly better single-threaded performance than other Clarkdales, but still completely inadequate for modern productivity.

Intel Core i5-750sBest22

Slower than the standard i5-750 in sustained multi-threaded workloads due to the 2.4GHz base.

Gaming

Intel Core i5-6705

Even with high clock speeds, the dual-core design cannot run modern games.

Intel Core i5-750sBest10

Turbo boost helps in light gaming but the low base clock hurts in sustained loads.

Virtualization

Intel Core i5-67011

Two cores with Hyper-Threading are insufficient for meaningful virtualization.

Intel Core i5-750sBest18

Four cores help but lower clocks limit VM performance.

Efficiency

Intel Core i5-67030

73W for a dual-core is acceptable for the era but poor by modern standards.

Intel Core i5-750sBest32

Better efficiency than the standard i5-750 at 82W, though still poor by modern standards.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i5-670None
  • No AI capabilities whatsoever
  • Far too slow for any ML workload
Intel Core i5-750sNone
  • No AI acceleration
  • Far too slow for any ML workload

Content Creation

Intel Core i5-670Unusable
Intel Core i5-750sUnusable

Gaming

Intel Core i5-670Unusable
  • High clock speed cannot overcome dual-core bottleneck
  • Integrated graphics far too weak for any 3D workload
  • Was overpriced for gaming even in 2010
Intel Core i5-750sVery Poor (Modern)
  • 2.4GHz base clock is too low for modern games
  • Turbo boost to 3.2GHz helps slightly in lightly threaded scenarios
  • Requires a discrete GPU for any gaming

Industry Impact

Gaming
Negligible
Low
Workstations
Negligible
Low
Content Creation
Negligible
Low
Virtualization
Negligible
Low

Best CPU by Use Case

Single-Threaded Tasks
Competitive in 2010 but irrelevant today
Basic Computing
Adequate for simple tasks
Gaming
Unusable for modern games
Multi-Threaded Workloads
Dramatically outperformed by cheaper quad-cores
Content Creation
Not viable
Small Form Factor PC
Designed for this use case
Home Theater PC
Adequate with a discrete GPU for media
Light Gaming (legacy)
Functional with turbo boost and discrete GPU
Modern Gaming
Unusable
Sustained Multi-Threaded Work
Noticeably slower than standard i5-750

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Students

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i5-670

Pros

  • Highest stock clock in Clarkdale lineup
  • Strong single-threaded performance for 2010
  • Integrated graphics eliminate need for discrete GPU in basic builds
  • 32nm process kept power at 73W despite high clocks

Cons

  • Priced at $284, more than the superior quad-core i5-750
  • Only two cores regardless of clock speed
  • Poor value at launch and completely obsolete now
  • No AVX support
  • Integrated graphics too weak for any meaningful 3D work
Intel Core i5-750s

Pros

  • Lower power consumption for small form factor builds
  • Same turbo boost ceiling as standard i5-750
  • Four real cores with 8MB cache
  • Lower thermal output simplifies cooling

Cons

  • 2.4GHz base clock was slow even in 2010
  • Significant performance drop in sustained multi-threaded workloads
  • No integrated graphics requires discrete GPU
  • No AVX support
  • Completely obsolete platform

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i5-670

  • Intel Core i5-750

    Quad-Core Desktop

    Rival
    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Phenom II X4 965

    High-Frequency Quad-Core

    Rival
  • AMD Phenom II X2 570

    Dual-Core Desktop

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-860

    Lynnfield i7

    Rival
  • AMD Phenom II X4 955

    Quad-Core Desktop

    Rival

Intel Core i5-750s

Our Verdict on Each

At $284, the i5-670 was paradoxically more expensive than the quad-core i5-750 while offering inferior multi-threaded performance. A poor value even at launch.

Best for: Collecting unusual Intel processor SKUs

Read the full review

An interesting low-power variant that traded clock speed for efficiency, but the 2.4GHz base clock limited performance even in 2010.

Best for: Maintaining an existing SFF Lynnfield build

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i5-670 or Intel Core i5-750s?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-750s comes out ahead with a score of 4/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.

Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-670 or Intel Core i5-750s?

For gaming, the Intel Core i5-750s leads with a gaming performance score of 10/100 among Intel Core i5-670 and Intel Core i5-750s.

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i5-670 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-670 (73 W), Intel Core i5-750s (82 W).

Do Intel Core i5-670 and Intel Core i5-750s use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1156 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.

Which has more cores?

The Intel Core i5-750s has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-670 (2 cores), Intel Core i5-750s (4 cores).

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Intel Core i5-750s posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-670 (4,800), Intel Core i5-750s (6,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.