Core i5-661 vs 3020e

Core i5-661

2 Cores4 Thrd87 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2010

3020e

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-661

2 / 4

2,387

0.0%

Pentium Dual Core T4500

2,406

+0.8%

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.

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 i5-661 is positioned at rank 959 and the 3020e is on rank 805, so the 3020e 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 i5-661

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

25592%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

24182%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

17558%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5290%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4190%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3665%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2099%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2072%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1887%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1886%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1865%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1815%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1790%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1782%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1766%

#959

Core i5-661

MSRP: $196|Avg: $40

100%

#960

Core i5-750

MSRP: $210|Avg: $30

100%

#961

Core i3-4150

MSRP: $281|Avg: $70

100%

#962

Core i3-2100T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $127

99%

#963

Pentium E2210

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

98%

#964

Core i3-560

MSRP: $138|Avg: $10

98%

#965

Core i3-550

MSRP: $138|Avg: $5

97%

#966

Core i7-980

MSRP: $583|Avg: $50

97%

#967

Pentium G3250

MSRP: $171|Avg: $25

96%

#968

Pentium E2200

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

96%

#969

Core 2 Duo E7300

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

96%

#970

Core i3-540

MSRP: $133|Avg: $5

96%

#972

Phenom II X3 700e

MSRP: $125|Avg: $40

95%

#973

Core i5-760

MSRP: $230|Avg: $61

95%

#974

Core i3-7102E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $80

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar 3020e

#793

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1219%

#794

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1202%

#795

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1103%

#796

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1098%

#797

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1088%

#799

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1051%

#800

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1007%

#801

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1006%

#802

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

979%

#805

3020e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

100%

#809

Athlon II M320

MSRP: $75|Avg: $15

99%

#810

Celeron B800

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

99%

#811

Celeron B710

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

99%

#812

Athlon II Neo K345

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

99%

#818

Core i7-8709G

MSRP: $338|Avg: $150

98%

#819

Celeron M 560

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

97%

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 3020e (2020) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-661	3020e
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($40)	✅ More affordable ($25)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Dali (Zen) (2020) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-661 (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-661	3020e
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+61%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($40)	✅ More affordable ($25)

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 i5-661 Benchmark Check

3020e Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-661 and 3020e

Core i5-661

The Core i5-661 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): 87 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,387 points. Launch price was $252.

3020e

The 3020e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,406 points. Launch price was $50.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-661 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the 3020e's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-661 versus 2.6 GHz on the 3020e — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-661 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-661 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the 3020e uses Dali (Zen) (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-661 scores 2,387 against the 3020e's 2,406 — a 0.8% lead for the 3020e. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-661 vs 4 MB on the 3020e.

Feature	Core i5-661	3020e
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+178%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Dali (Zen) (2020)
PassMark	2,387	2,406
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	480
Geekbench 6 Single	—	660
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,100

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-661 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the 3020e uses FT5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-661	3020e
Socket	LGA1156	FT5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-661) / AMD-V (3020e). The 3020e includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (Vega 3)), while the Core i5-661 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: 3020e targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: 3020e rivals Celeron N4020.

Feature	Core i5-661	3020e
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon Graphics (Vega 3)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Entry Level Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-661 launched at $196 MSRP, while the 3020e debuted at $100. At current prices ($40 vs $25), the 3020e is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-661 delivers 59.7 pts/$ vs 96.2 pts/$ for the 3020e — making the 3020e the 46.9% better value option.