Core i3-4012Y vs Core i7-660UM

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.

Core i3-4012Y 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.

Core i3-4012Y 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.

Core i3-4012Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+94% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌2744.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 18W.

Core i7-660UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 18W instead of 512W, a 494W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (250 vs 485).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (600 vs 988).
❌Launch MSRP is still $317 MSRP, while Core i3-4012Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4012Y better than Core i7-660UM?

Yes. Core i3-4012Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data, 64.7% 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, Core i3-4012Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% more average FPS across 46 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4012Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 64.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4012Y is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i3-4012Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $317 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-660UM only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.4% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i3-4012Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4012Y vs Core i7-660UM Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4012Y

The Core i3-4012Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,278 points. Launch price was $69.

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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4012Y and Core i7-660UM share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4012Y versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-660UM — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-660UM (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Core i3-4012Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-660UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4012Y scores 1,278 against the Core i7-660UM's 1,279 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-660UM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 485 vs 250, a 63.9% lead for the Core i3-4012Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 988 vs 600 (48.9% advantage for the Core i3-4012Y). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4012Y vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-660UM.

Feature	Core i3-4012Y	Core i7-660UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	2.4 GHz+60%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz+13%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,278	1,279
Geekbench 6 Single	485+94%	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	988+65%	600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4012Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-660UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4012Y versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-660UM — the Core i3-4012Y supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4012Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-4012Y) vs 16 (Core i7-660UM) — the Core i7-660UM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i3-4012Y) and PM55,HM55,QM57,HM57 (Core i7-660UM).

Feature	Core i3-4012Y	Core i7-660UM
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / EPT (Core i3-4012Y) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-660UM). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4012Y) and HD Graphics (Core i7-660UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4012Y targets Low Power, Core i7-660UM targets Budget.