Intel Core i7-660UM
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i7-660UM Specifications
Core i7-660UM Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i7-660UM 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.
i7-660UM Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i7-660UM Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM'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 i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Westmere Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i7-660UM 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.
i7-660UM Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i7-660UM has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 18W, 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 BGA 1288 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i7-660UM uses the Intel BGA 1288 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 BGA 1288 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM 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.
Core i7-660UM Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM. 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 i7-660UM. 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 i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i7-660UM
The Intel Core i7-660UM is an end-of-life mobile processor from Intel’s Westmere/Arrandale generation. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 1333 MHz, and a boost clock of 2.40 GHz. The chip is built on Intel’s 32 nm process, contains 382 million transistors on an 81 mm² die, and carries 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core along with 4 MB shared L3. Its launch MSRP was $317. In the benchmark database it sits at the 4th percentile, with an average benchmark score of 375, a figure that places it in a tight cluster with four low-end rivals.
How It Compares
The nearest rival by average score is the Intel Core i5-2537M, which averages 376. Against that, the i7-660UM’s 375 is a 0.3% deficit. The two are effectively indistinguishable in aggregate benchmarks, so any workload-level difference would be within run-to-run variance.
The Intel Celeron 1037U leads this rival group with an average score of 377. The i7-660UM trails by 0.4%. Despite the Celeron branding, this is essentially a neutral comparison in aggregate terms; the i7 is not materially faster or slower.
The Intel Celeron 1020M averages 372. The i7-660UM holds a 0.7% advantage, the first positive delta in this nearest-rival set. It is a lead, but a narrow one.
The Intel Celeron G1820TE also averages 372. The i7-660UM is 0.8% ahead, which is the largest margin among the four nearest rivals, yet still a very small gap.
Power and Thermals
The i7-660UM has an 18 W TDP, placing it clearly in the low-power mobile class. For cooling, this means a compact and modest thermal solution is sufficient; a high-end cooler is unnecessary. The 32 nm process and 81 mm² die are the physical context for that power envelope, and the mobile market segment reinforces that the part is designed around constrained thermal environments. Because production status is end-of-life, the cooling question is mostly relevant to existing systems rather than new platform builds.
Who Should Consider It
The 4th percentile ranking and 375 average score indicate that this CPU is not intended for demanding workloads. Office and basic productivity are the realistic home: word processing, spreadsheets, and light web browsing can run on a 2-core/4-thread part with a 2.40 GHz boost clock.
For creation workloads such as 3D rendering or video encoding, the multi-core Cinebench scores present a clear limitation. The R20 multi-core score is 458, and the R23 multi-core score is 1091; both are low in the database context. Gaming is similarly constrained by the R23 single-core score of 154 and the integrated HD Graphics (Ironlake), so this is not a platform for demanding 3D titles.
Users maintaining legacy software on a low-power mobile system may find the i7-660UM acceptable for their needs. Anyone expecting fast modern performance should look at parts with higher benchmark positions.
FAQ
Q: What memory does the i7-660UM support?
A: It supports DDR3 in dual-channel mode with 17.1 GB/s bandwidth; ECC memory is not supported.
Q: Does the CPU include integrated graphics?
A: Yes, it includes HD Graphics (Ironlake).
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?
A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked.
Q: What socket does it use?
A: It uses Intel BGA 1288.
Q: What is the production status?
A: It is end-of-life.
Q: What is the part number?
A: The part number is SLBSSQ4B6.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
Benchmark results show a consistent gap between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 64 and the multi-core score is 458. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 154 while the multi-core score is 1091. That pattern indicates the processor can use all four threads effectively enough to lift throughput in threaded workloads, but the single-thread scores are what define the feel of per-core responsiveness.
The 2.40 GHz boost clock is the highest clock the part can reach, and the single-thread scores show that boost behavior does not overcome the low overall performance class. For software that is heavily serialized, the single-core scores are the relevant reference. For parallel jobs, the multi-core scores show a higher but still low ceiling.
Platform and Compatibility
The i7-660UM is built for Intel BGA 1288, a mobile socket. It supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration with 17.1 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe connectivity is Gen 2. The integrated graphics solution is HD Graphics (Ironlake).
The cache layout is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The process node is 32 nm, and the part carries the part number SLBSSQ4B6. Because production status is end-of-life, compatibility is limited to systems that already use this platform; new integration is not a practical path for most users.
Benchmark Performance
The aggregate score of 375 and the 4th percentile ranking establish the i7-660UM as a low-end part. In Cinebench R15 multi-core it scores 109; in R20 it scores 458 multi-core and 64 single-core; in R23 it scores 1091 multi-core and 154 single-core. These results are internally consistent with a 2-core/4-thread Westmere design.
Against its nearest rivals, the i7-660UM is separated by no more than 0.8% in either direction. The Intel Core i5-2537M averages 376, placing the i7 0.3% behind. The Intel Celeron 1037U averages 377, placing the i7 0.4% behind. The Intel Celeron 1020M averages 372, with the i7 0.7% ahead. The Intel Celeron G1820TE averages 372, with the i7 0.8% ahead.
In practical terms, the four nearest rivals and the i7-660UM form a statistical tie. The i7-660UM neither gains nor loses meaningful ground in aggregate benchmark scores, and its individual Cinebench results place it firmly in the low end of the database.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i7-660UM
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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