Core i5-660 vs Core i5-5250U

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 i5-660 vs Core i5-5250U 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 i5-660 vs Core i5-5250U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-660

2010

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,439 vs 2,450).
❌Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Core i5-5250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-5250U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 6000, while Core i5-660 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-660 better than Core i5-5250U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-660 is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5250U pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i5-660 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5250U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-660 is the better buy right now. Core i5-660 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $196 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-5250U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-5250U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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 i5-660 vs Core i5-5250U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-660

The Core i5-660 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): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,439 points. Launch price was $70.

Core i5-5250U

The Core i5-5250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,450 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-660 and Core i5-5250U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-660 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5250U — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-660 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-660 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-5250U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-660 scores 2,439 against the Core i5-5250U's 2,450 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-5250U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-660 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5250U.

Feature	Core i5-660	Core i5-5250U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+108%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,439	2,450

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-660 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-5250U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-660	Core i5-5250U
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-660) / true (Core i5-5250U). The Core i5-5250U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 6000), while the Core i5-660 requires a dedicated GPU.