Intel Core i5-680
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i5-680 Specifications
Core i5-680 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i5-680 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.
i5-680 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i5-680 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 i5-680 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i5-680 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i5-680 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 i5-680'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 i5-680 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 i5-680 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Westmere Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
About Intel Core i5-680
The Intel Core i5-680 is a desktop processor from the Clarkdale generation, built on Intel's 32 nm process with 382 million transistors on an 81 mm² die. It offers 2 physical cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.87 GHz. Its average benchmark score across the tested suite is 777, placing it in the 20th percentile of all CPUs tracked. That percentile alone signals a part that was modest even at launch and is now far behind modern hardware. The data shows a processor that trades on its dual-core efficiency and integrated graphics rather than raw throughput.
Who Should Consider It
The i5-680 is not a processor for demanding modern workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2259 and single-core score of 318 put it in the lower quartile of current desktop CPUs. For office productivity—spreadsheets, word processing, web browsing, and light email—the dual-core with four threads is still functional, especially when paired with an SSD and sufficient RAM. The 20th percentile ranking means it outperforms only about a fifth of all CPUs, so it should be considered only for legacy systems or as a stopgap for basic tasks.
Gaming is not a strong suit. The single-core score of 318 in Cinebench R23 is far below what modern game engines expect; even older titles that rely heavily on single-thread performance will struggle. The multi-core score of 2259 is equally low, so any game that uses more than two threads will see poor frame pacing and low average frame rates. If you are building a retro gaming rig for early-2000s titles, it might suffice, but for anything released in the last decade, it will be a bottleneck.
Content creation is similarly out of reach. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 948 and R15 multi-core score of 227 indicate that video editing, 3D rendering, or heavy photo processing will be painfully slow. The processor's 2-core/4-thread design simply lacks the parallel throughput for these workloads. The only scenario where the i5-680 makes sense is a basic office PC or a home server running lightweight services—provided you already own a compatible motherboard and DDR3 memory. Its end-of-life status and 20th percentile performance mean it is not a sensible new purchase for any workload that demands speed.
Power and Thermals
The i5-680 has a TDP of 73 watts. This is a modest figure, especially for a desktop part from 2010. The 32 nm process helps keep power draw in check, and the 382 million transistors are arranged on a small 81 mm² die. A standard air cooler—even a low-profile model—will easily manage the thermal output. The 73 W TDP also means that power supply requirements are minimal; any modern PSU with a 4-pin or 8-pin CPU connector will handle it. Because the multiplier is locked, there is no headroom for overclocking, so the thermal envelope remains fixed. The integrated Intel HD graphics add a small amount of heat, but the total system power is still low enough for compact cases and modest cooling setups.
Platform and Compatibility
The i5-680 uses the Intel Socket 1156 interface, which is long obsolete. It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, but ECC memory is not supported. The processor provides 16 PCIe Gen 2 lanes (CPU only), which is sufficient for a single graphics card or a couple of NVMe adapters, though the lack of PCIe Gen 3 or higher will limit modern storage speeds. The integrated Intel HD graphics are basic and not suitable for anything beyond display output. The platform's upgrade path is nonexistent—this is an end-of-life product, and no new chips are being made for Socket 1156. The launch MSRP was $294, which reflects its original positioning as a mid-range part, but that price is irrelevant today given the age and performance level.
FAQ
Q: Is the Core i5-680 good for gaming?
A: No. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 318 and multi-core score of 2259 are far below what modern games require. The 20th percentile ranking confirms it will bottleneck even mid-range GPUs.
Q: Does it support ECC memory?
A: No. ECC memory is not supported; the processor only works with non-ECC DDR3 modules.
Q: What memory type and bandwidth does it use?
A: It supports dual-channel DDR3 with a maximum bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. There is no support for DDR4 or newer memory standards.
Q: Can I overclock the i5-680?
A: No. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible without external base-clock adjustments, which are not recommended on this platform.
Q: How many cores and threads does it have?
A: It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, thanks to Hyper-Threading. The base clock is 3.60 GHz and the boost clock is 3.87 GHz.
Q: What is the TDP and what cooling is needed?
A: The TDP is 73 watts. A standard air cooler is sufficient; no special liquid cooling is required.
How It Compares
The i5-680's average benchmark score of 777 places it in a tight cluster of rivals. Against the AMD Athlon X4 760K, the delta is 0.1% in favor of the i5-680, meaning the two are effectively tied—the Athlon has four physical cores, but its older architecture brings similar overall performance. The Intel Core i7-3687U, a low-power mobile chip, is 0.1% behind the i5-680; the i5-680 edges it out, but the difference is negligible. The AMD A10-5800K is 0.1% ahead of the i5-680, a margin that will not be noticeable in real workloads. Finally, the Intel Core i5-3320M, a laptop processor, is 0.2% ahead of the i5-680. All four rivals are within a 0.2% band, so the i5-680 is essentially performance-equivalent to a range of quad-core and dual-core parts from the same era. None of these chips are modern, but they all sit at the same level—meaning the i5-680's 2-core/4-thread design does not give it any meaningful edge or disadvantage relative to its closest competitors.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The benchmark data reveals a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 133, while the multi-core score is 948—a ratio of roughly 7:1 in favor of multi-core. Similarly, in Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 318 and the multi-core score is 2259, again about 7:1. This indicates that the processor scales well when all four threads are engaged, thanks to Hyper-Threading on the two physical cores. However, the absolute single-thread scores are very low—318 in R23 is far below what even a modern low-end laptop chip achieves. This means that workloads which are lightly threaded, such as many older games or single-threaded productivity tools, will see poor performance. Conversely, applications that can use all four threads, like batch image processing or video encoding, will get a relative boost, but the starting point is so low that the final performance is still weak. The i5-680 is a classic example of a dual-core with Hyper-Threading: it does not have enough raw cores for heavy parallel work, and its single-thread efficiency is not high enough to compensate. For any modern task, the processor is limited by both metrics. The data shows that while the multi-core scaling is efficient, the absolute performance is insufficient for anything beyond basic use.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the Intel Core i5-680 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 i5-680 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. The R15 version remains useful for comparing against older hardware benchmarks. Higher scores directly correlate with faster render times in Cinema 4D and similar 3D applications.
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 i5-680. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors.
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 i5-680. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs.
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 i5-680 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss.
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 i5-680 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
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