Core i5-660 vs Core m3-7Y30

Core i5-660

2 Cores4 Thrd73 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2010

Core m3-7Y30

2 Cores4 Thrd4.5 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-660

2 / 4

2,439

+0.9%

2,418

0.0%

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 i5-660 is positioned at rank 954 and the Core m3-7Y30 is on rank 1116, so the Core i5-660 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-660

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

25057%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

23677%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

17191%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5179%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4102%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3589%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2055%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2029%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1847%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1847%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1826%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1777%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1752%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1745%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1729%

#954

Core i5-660

MSRP: $196|Avg: $150

100%

#955

Athlon II X2 250

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

100%

#956

Core i3-2120T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $38

99%

#957

Phenom II X3 720

MSRP: $130|Avg: $64

99%

#958

Pentium E6300

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

99%

#959

Core i5-661

MSRP: $196|Avg: $40

98%

#960

Core i3-4150

MSRP: $281|Avg: $70

97%

#961

Core i5-750

MSRP: $210|Avg: $30

97%

#962

Core i3-2100T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $127

97%

#963

Pentium E2210

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

96%

#964

Core i3-560

MSRP: $138|Avg: $10

96%

#965

Core i3-550

MSRP: $138|Avg: $5

95%

#966

Core i7-980

MSRP: $583|Avg: $50

95%

#967

Pentium G3250

MSRP: $171|Avg: $25

94%

#968

Pentium E2200

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

94%

#969

Core 2 Duo E7300

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core m3-7Y30

#1104

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3412%

#1105

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3362%

#1106

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3086%

#1107

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3072%

#1108

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3044%

#1110

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2940%

#1111

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2819%

#1112

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2814%

#1113

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2738%

#1116

Core m3-7Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1117

Pentium 977

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

100%

#1118

Core i7-2715QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $50

99%

#1119

VIA Nano U2250

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

99%

#1121

Core i5-560M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

98%

#1122

Pentium U5600

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

97%

#1123

Core m5-6Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

97%

#1125

Core i7-610E

MSRP: $250|Avg: $40

96%

#1126

Core i5-5350U

MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A

96%

#1127

Core i7-3520M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

95%

#1128

Pentium Dual Core T4300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $99

95%

#1129

Core i3-4100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

95%

#1130

Core i3-2310E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $20

95%

#1131

Core i5-2510E

MSRP: $230|Avg: $30

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core m3-7Y30 (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-660	Core m3-7Y30
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($150)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-660 (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-660	Core m3-7Y30
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+89%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($150)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-660 Benchmark Check

Core m3-7Y30 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-660 and Core m3-7Y30

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 m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-660 and Core m3-7Y30 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-660 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-660 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i5-660 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-660 scores 2,439 against the Core m3-7Y30's 2,418 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-660. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-660 vs 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y30.

Feature	Core i5-660	Core m3-7Y30
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+233%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,439	2,418
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	645
Geekbench 6 Single	—	768
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,481

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-660 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-660	Core m3-7Y30
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	10

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-660) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30). The Core m3-7Y30 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Core i5-660 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable.

Feature	Core i5-660	Core m3-7Y30
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 615
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	—	Ultra-portable

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-660 launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core m3-7Y30 debuted at $281. At current prices ($150 vs $281), the Core i5-660 is $131 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-660 delivers 16.3 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Core m3-7Y30 — making the Core i5-660 the 61.6% better value option.