Atom E660 vs Pentium 4 2.26

Intel

Atom E660

1 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2010
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Pentium 4 2.26

1 Cores1 Thrd110 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2002
Similar parts
·······

Atom E660 vs Pentium 4 2.26 Performance Spectrum

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.

Atom E660 vs Pentium 4 2.26: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom E660

2010

Why buy it

  • Draws 3W instead of 110W, a 107W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 600, while Pentium 4 2.26 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (275 vs 295).

Pentium 4 2.26

2002

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Launch MSRP is still $241 MSRP, while Atom E660 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 3566.7% higher power demand at 110W vs 3W.
    • No integrated graphics, while Atom E660 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Pentium 4 2.26 better than Atom E660?
    Yes. Pentium 4 2.26 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 7.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Pentium 4 2.26 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 73.8% higher max boost clock.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 4 2.26 is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.3% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Pentium 4 2.26 is the better buy right now. Pentium 4 2.26 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $241 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 7.3% higher PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (1.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Atom E660 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2002). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Atom E660 vs Pentium 4 2.26 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Atom E660

    The Atom E660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Tunnel Creek (2010) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA676. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 275 points. Launch price was $54.

    Intel

    Pentium 4 2.26

    The Pentium 4 2.26 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 295 points. Launch price was $69.

    Processing Power

    The Atom E660 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, matching the Pentium 4 2.26's 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Atom E660 versus 2.26 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.26 — a 53.9% clock advantage for the Pentium 4 2.26. The Atom E660 uses the Tunnel Creek (2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium 4 2.26 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Atom E660 scores 275 against the Pentium 4 2.26's 295 — a 7% lead for the Pentium 4 2.26. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureAtom E660Pentium 4 2.26
    Cores / Threads
    1 / 2
    1 / 1
    Boost Clock
    1.3 GHz
    2.26 GHz+74%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    512 kB (per core)
    512 kB
    Process
    45 nm-65%
    130 nm
    Architecture
    Tunnel Creek (2010)
    NetBurst (2000−2006)
    PassMark
    275
    295+7%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Atom E660 uses the BGA676 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 4 2.26 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureAtom E660Pentium 4 2.26
    Socket
    BGA676
    PGA478
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0+82%
    PCIe 1.1
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR2-800
    Max RAM Capacity
    2 GB
    RAM Channels
    1
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    4
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    The Atom E660 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 600), while the Pentium 4 2.26 requires a dedicated GPU.

    FeatureAtom E660Pentium 4 2.26
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Intel GMA 600