Intel Core i5-660
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i5-660 Specifications
Core i5-660 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i5-660 features 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i5-660 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i5-660 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i5-660 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i5-660 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i5-660 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i5-660's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Westmere Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i5-660 is built on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i5-660 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Westmere Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i5-660 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i5-660 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 73W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 1156 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i5-660 uses the Intel Socket 1156 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 1156 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i5-660 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i5-660 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i5-660 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i5-660 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i5-660 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i5-660 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i5-660 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
About Intel Core i5-660
The Intel Core i5-660 is a legacy desktop processor built on the Westmere architecture (codename Clarkdale) and manufactured on Intel's 32 nm process node. It was released in early 2010 with a launch MSRP of $196 and is now end-of-life. The chip integrates 382 million transistors on an 81 mm² die, positioning it as a compact dual-core solution with Hyper-Threading, yielding 2 cores and 4 threads. Its average benchmark score of 708 places it at the 18th percentile of all CPUs, which is a modest standing in modern contexts but reflects its era of origin.
Platform and Compatibility
The Core i5-660 uses the Intel Socket 1156 interface, which is a platform that has been obsolete for many years. Motherboards supporting this socket are exclusively from the first-generation Core series era, meaning the upgrade path is strictly limited to other Socket 1156 processors from that period. The chip's memory controller supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a theoretical memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, so this processor is not suited for error-correcting memory workloads.
For expansion, the CPU provides PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes available from the CPU itself. This is a standard configuration for desktop use of that generation, allowing a single full-bandwidth graphics card or a pair of cards at reduced lane counts. The integrated graphics is listed simply as "Intel HD," which is a basic solution intended for display output rather than gaming. The lack of a modern memory standard or PCIe generation means that any system built around this CPU will be constrained by these older interfaces, and there is no realistic path to upgrade to newer platforms without a full motherboard and memory replacement.
Power and Thermals
The Core i5-660 carries a TDP of 73 watts. This is a relatively low figure by modern desktop standards, but it is important to note that the Clarkdale architecture used a separate I/O die on the package, which contributes to the thermal profile. For cooling, this TDP class implies that a stock or basic air cooler is sufficient. Even a modest cooler with a small heatsink and fan will handle the 73 W load without difficulty, and the chip does not demand the high-end tower coolers or liquid solutions required by higher-wattage parts. The 32 nm process node helps keep power draw manageable, but the older architecture is not as efficient as contemporary designs. The data shows that the 73 W TDP is a mid-range figure; it is not a power-sipping ultra-low-voltage part, nor is it a high-heat flagship. Builders should ensure adequate case airflow, but they will not need to invest heavily in premium cooling hardware to keep this processor within its thermal limits during sustained loads.
Benchmark Performance
Benchmark results from Cinebench indicate that the Core i5-660 is a capable single-threaded performer for its generation, but its multi-core scores are severely limited by the physical 2-core design. In Cinebench R23, the chip scores 2057 points in multi-core and 290 points in single-core. The multi-core score is roughly 7 times higher than the single-core score, which is expected for a chip with 4 threads, but the absolute numbers are low when compared to any modern processor. The Cinebench R20 results show 863 points multi-core and 121 points single-core, while the older Cinebench R15 test yields a multi-core score of 207.
When comparing to its nearest rivals, the average benchmark score of 708 is nearly identical to the Intel Xeon X5450, which scores 707, a delta of just 0.1%. The Core i5-660 effectively trades blows with that older quad-core Xeon, which is notable because the Xeon has twice the physical cores but lacks Hyper-Threading and runs on an older architecture. The chip is also 0.2% behind the Intel Core i5-4350U (709 average score) and 0.2% behind the AMD Phenom II X4 B95 (710). The largest gap in the rival list is a 0.7% deficit to the AMD Phenom II X4 840 (713). These deltas are all within 1%, indicating that the Core i5-660 performs at the same level as a range of quad-core processors from the same era, despite having only 2 physical cores. The 18th percentile standing reinforces that this is a low-tier performer in the current CPU landscape, suitable only for basic tasks.
Who Should Consider It
The Core i5-660 is not a processor for modern gaming or heavy content creation. Its dual-core, 4-thread design and low benchmark scores mean that it will bottleneck any contemporary graphics card in games that utilize more than a couple of cores. For office productivity, such as word processing, web browsing, and spreadsheet work, the data shows it can handle light single-threaded workloads, but even these tasks will feel sluggish with multiple applications open. The single-core score of 290 in Cinebench R23 is adequate for simple daily use, but it is far below what is needed for responsive multitasking in modern operating systems.
The only realistic consideration is for legacy system builders or hobbyists who have compatible Socket 1156 motherboards and DDR3 memory already on hand. For retro computing, emulation of older systems, or as a basic home server running lightweight tasks, the 73 W TDP and low cost of acquisition might make sense. However, for any serious workload—video editing, 3D rendering, modern gaming, or software compilation—the benchmark results clearly indicate that this chip is insufficient. The multi-core scores of 2057 in R23 and 863 in R20 are far too low for any parallel task, and the 18th percentile ranking confirms that nearly all current processors will outperform it by a wide margin. Gamers and creators should look elsewhere, as this part will not provide a usable experience for those applications.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is stark. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 290 is only about 14% of the multi-core score of 2057, which is a typical ratio for a dual-core chip with Hyper-Threading. However, the absolute single-thread score is still low, meaning that even lightly threaded applications will not run particularly fast. The base clock of 3.33 GHz and boost clock of 3.60 GHz are decent for the era, but the old Westmere architecture has low instructions-per-clock compared to modern designs. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score of 121 and multi-core score of 863 follow the same pattern, with the multi-core result being roughly 7 times higher.
This behavior indicates that the chip is relatively better suited to single-threaded tasks than multi-threaded ones, but the baseline performance is too weak to be useful for demanding single-threaded work either. For real workloads, this means that older applications designed for a single core will run at a pace consistent with a 2010-era budget processor, while any application that can use multiple threads will see a modest gain from the 4 threads, but not enough to compete with modern quad-core or hexa-core parts. The 4 MB of shared L3 cache helps a little with thread communication, but it is not a substitute for more physical cores. The data shows that the chip is balanced in the sense that both single and multi-thread scores are proportionally low, so users should not expect any specific workload to perform well.
FAQ
Q: Does the Intel Core i5-660 support ECC memory?
A: No, the FACT PACK indicates that ECC memory is not supported, so this processor is not suitable for error-correcting memory configurations.
Q: What is the socket type for this processor?
A: The Core i5-660 uses Intel Socket 1156, which is an older platform that is no longer produced.
Q: How does the Core i5-660 compare to the AMD Phenom II X4 840?
A: The Core i5-660 has an average benchmark score of 708, which is 0.7% lower than the AMD Phenom II X4 840's score of 713.
Q: How many threads does the Core i5-660 have?
A: It has 4 threads, consisting of 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading enabled.
Q: What is the TDP of the Core i5-660?
A: The thermal design power is 73 watts, which implies that a basic air cooler is sufficient for thermal management.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an officially supported feature for this processor.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the Intel Core i5-660 are below.
Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i5-660 performs in parallel rendering workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i5-660. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors. Content creators and 3D artists use this benchmark to estimate real-world render performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i5-660. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs. Single-thread performance remains critical for gaming and applications with serial bottlenecks.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i5-660 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss. Professional users rely on R23 scores to predict real-world rendering performance under sustained workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i5-660 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance. This score is particularly important for understanding real-world responsiveness beyond initial boost behavior.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
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