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3020e vs Core i5-661

CPUCPUGPUGPU
AMD

3020e

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-661

2 Cores4 Thrd87 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2010
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Buy on Amazon

3020e vs Core i5-661 Performance Spectrum

3020e
2 / 2
2,406
+0.8%
brand logoAthlon II X2 270
brand logoAthlon II X3 425
brand logoAthlon II X3 450
brand logoAthlon II X4 631
brand logoRyzen 5 PRO 8500GE
brand logoRyzen AI Max 390
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 3990X
Core i5-661
2 / 4
2,387
0.0%
brand logoPentium Dual Core T4500
brand logoCeleron G1820T
brand logoCore 2 Duo T7400
brand logoCore 2 Duo T5900
brand logoCore i7-11700B
brand logoCore Ultra 7 265T
brand logoCore i9-14900KS
brand logoXeon w9-3575X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

3020e vs Core i5-661: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

3020e

2020

Why buy it

  • ✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
  • ✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • ✅Delivers 97.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.1 vs 12.2 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • ✅Draws 1W instead of 87W, a 86W reduction.
  • ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-661

2010

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Lower PassMark (2,387 vs 2,406).
    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.2 vs 24.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
    • ❌8600% higher power demand at 87W vs 1W.
    • ❌No integrated graphics, while 3020e can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is 3020e better than Core i5-661?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-661 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, 3020e pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, 3020e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    3020e is the better buy right now. 3020e comes in $96 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-661 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 97.6% better value on MSRP (24.1 vs 12.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    3020e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    3020e vs Core i5-661 Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    AMD

    3020e

    The 3020e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,406 points. Launch price was $50.

    Intel

    Core i5-661

    The Core i5-661 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 87 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,387 points. Launch price was $252.

    ⚡

    Processing Power

    The 3020e packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-661's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the 3020e versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-661 — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-661 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The 3020e uses the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-661 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the 3020e scores 2,406 against the Core i5-661's 2,387 — a 0.8% lead for the 3020e. L3 cache: 4 MB on the 3020e vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-661.

    Feature3020eCore i5-661
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 4
    Boost Clock
    2.6 GHz
    3.6 GHz+38%
    Base Clock
    1.2 GHz
    3.33 GHz+178%
    L3 Cache
    4 MB
    4 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB+300%
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    14 nm-56%
    32 nm
    Architecture
    Dali (Zen) (2020)
    Clarkdale (2010−2011)
    PassMark
    2,406
    2,387
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    480
    —
    Geekbench 6 Single
    660
    —
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    1,100
    —
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The 3020e uses the FT5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-661 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    Feature3020eCore i5-661
    Socket
    FT5
    LGA1156
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0+50%
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-2400
    —
    Max RAM Capacity
    32 GB
    —
    RAM Channels
    2
    —
    ECC Support
    Yes
    —
    PCIe Lanes
    8
    —
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: AMD-V (3020e) / not specified (Core i5-661). The 3020e includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (Vega 3)), while the Core i5-661 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: 3020e targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: 3020e rivals Celeron N4020.

    Feature3020eCore i5-661
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    —
    IGPU Model
    Radeon Graphics (Vega 3)
    —
    Unlocked
    No
    —
    AVX-512
    No
    —
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    —
    Target Use
    Entry Level Laptop
    —
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the 3020e was priced at $100, while the Core i5-661 came in at $196. On launch pricing ($100 vs $196), 3020e was $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the 3020e delivers 24.1 pts/$ vs 12.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-661 — making the 3020e the 65.6% better value option.

    Feature3020eCore i5-661
    MSRP
    $100-49%
    $196
    Performance per Dollar
    24.1+98%
    12.2
    Release Date
    2020
    2010
    Search 3020e on AmazonSearch Core i5-661 on Amazon

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