Core i5-660 vs Phenom II X4 B95

Core i5-660 vs Phenom II X4 B95 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-660

2 / 4

2,439

+0.5%

2,427

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i5-660 vs Phenom II X4 B95 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 Phenom II X4 B95: 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

✅Draws 73W instead of 95W, a 22W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 B95 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 B95

2009

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,427 vs 2,439).
❌30.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 73W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-660 better than Phenom II X4 B95?

Yes. Core i5-660 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, 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 i5-660 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% 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, Core i5-660 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 $196 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-660 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-660 vs Phenom II X4 B95 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.

Phenom II X4 B95

The Phenom II X4 B95 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,427 points. Launch price was $80.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-660 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 B95 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 B95 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-660 versus 3 GHz on the Phenom II X4 B95 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-660 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-660 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 B95 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-660 scores 2,439 against the Phenom II X4 B95's 2,427 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-660. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-660 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 B95.

Feature	Core i5-660	Phenom II X4 B95
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+11%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,439	2,427

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-660 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 B95 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.