Core i5-661 vs Celeron G4900
Core i5-661
Celeron G4900
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. The Core i5-661 is positioned at rank #959 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-661
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G4900
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-661 | Celeron G4900 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($85) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-661 | Celeron G4900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+114%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($85) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-661 and Celeron G4900
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.
Celeron G4900
The Celeron G4900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 2,370 points. Launch price was $42.
Processing Power
The Core i5-661 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron G4900's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-661 versus 3.1 GHz on the Celeron G4900 — a 14.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-661 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-661 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron G4900 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-661 scores 2,387 against the Celeron G4900's 2,370 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-661. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-661 vs 6 MB (total) on the Celeron G4900.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Celeron G4900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+16% | 3.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz+7% | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 6 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 2,387 | 2,370 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 850 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,550 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-661 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G4900 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Celeron G4900 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-661) / VT-x (Celeron G4900). The Celeron G4900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Core i5-661 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G4900 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G4900 rivals Pentium G5400.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Celeron G4900 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 610 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-661 launched at $196 MSRP, while the Celeron G4900 debuted at $42. At current prices ($40 vs $85), the Core i5-661 is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-661 delivers 59.7 pts/$ vs 27.9 pts/$ for the Celeron G4900 — making the Core i5-661 the 72.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Celeron G4900 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $196 | $42-79% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-53% | $85 |
| Performance per Dollar | 59.7+114% | 27.9 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2018 |
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