Celeron G550 vs Core i7-660UM

CPU

GPU

Celeron G550

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2012

Buy on Amazon

Core i7-660UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2010

Buy on Amazon

Celeron G550 vs Core i7-660UM Performance Spectrum

Celeron G550

2 / 2

1,275

0.0%

Celeron N3000

Pentium T3400

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

1,279

+0.3%

Atom D2550

Pentium T3400

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

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.

Celeron G550 vs Core i7-660UM FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron G550 vs Core i7-660UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G550

2012

Why buy it

✅+51.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $265 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $317 MSRP).
✅Delivers 507.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.5 vs 4.0 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $317 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

Core i7-660UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (250 vs 379).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (600 vs 663).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.0 vs 24.5 PassMark/$ ($317 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G550 better than Core i7-660UM?

Yes. Celeron G550 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 10.5% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron G550 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Celeron G550 is the better buy right now. Celeron G550 comes in $265 cheaper on MSRP at $52 MSRP versus $317 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 507.7% better value on MSRP (24.5 vs 4.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron G550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 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.

Celeron G550 vs Core i7-660UM Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G550

The Celeron G550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,275 points. Launch price was $80.

Core i7-660UM

The Core i7-660UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,279 points. Launch price was $317.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G550 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-660UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron G550 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-660UM — a 8% clock advantage for the Celeron G550 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Celeron G550 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-660UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G550 scores 1,275 against the Core i7-660UM's 1,279 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-660UM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 379 vs 250, a 41% lead for the Celeron G550 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 663 vs 600 (10% advantage for the Celeron G550). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G550 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-660UM.

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i7-660UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+8%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+95%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,275	1,279
Geekbench 6 Single	379+52%	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	663+11%	600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-660UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Celeron G550 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,B65,H67,Z68 (Celeron G550) and PM55,HM55,QM57,HM57 (Core i7-660UM).

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i7-660UM
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G550) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-660UM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron G550) and HD Graphics (Core i7-660UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G550 targets Budget, Core i7-660UM targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G550 rivals Pentium G630.

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i7-660UM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G550 was priced at $52, while the Core i7-660UM came in at $317. On launch pricing ($52 vs $317), Celeron G550 was $265 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G550 delivers 24.5 pts/$ vs 4.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-660UM — making the Celeron G550 the 143.5% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i7-660UM
MSRP	$52-84%	$317
Performance per Dollar	24.5+513%	4.0
Release Date	2012	2010

Search Celeron G550 on Amazon

Search Core i7-660UM on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.