CPU
GPU
Core i3-390M
Core i7-660UM
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-390M is positioned at rank 585 and the Core i7-660UM is on rank 1225, so the Core i3-390M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-390M
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-660UM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-390M | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($317) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-390M | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($317) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-390M and Core i7-660UM
Core i3-390M
The Core i3-390M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,292 points. Launch price was $39.
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
Both the Core i3-390M and Core i7-660UM share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.67 GHz on the Core i3-390M versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-660UM — a 112.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-660UM (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-390M scores 1,292 against the Core i7-660UM's 1,279 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-390M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-390M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-660UM.
| Feature | Core i3-390M | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 0.67 GHz | 2.4 GHz+258% |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz+100% | 1.33 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,292+1% | 1,279 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 250 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 600 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-390M uses the PGA988 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. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i3-390M | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-390M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-660UM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i3-390M) and HD Graphics (Core i7-660UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-390M targets Mobile, Core i7-660UM targets Budget.
| Feature | Core i3-390M | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics | HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mobile | Budget |
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