Core i5-661 vs Core m3-7Y30

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 i5-661 vs Core m3-7Y30 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 i5-661 vs Core m3-7Y30: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-661

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $85 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 41.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.2 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,387 vs 2,418).
❌1833.3% higher power demand at 87W vs 4.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core m3-7Y30 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core m3-7Y30

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 5W instead of 87W, a 83W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 615, while Core i5-661 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 12.2 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core m3-7Y30 better than Core i5-661?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-661 is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-7Y30 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-7Y30 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core m3-7Y30 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core m3-7Y30 comes in 43.4% more expensive on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. Core i5-661 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 41.5% better value on paper (12.2 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Core m3-7Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 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 i5-661 vs Core m3-7Y30 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-661 and Core m3-7Y30 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-661 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-661 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i5-661 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-661 scores 2,387 against the Core m3-7Y30's 2,418 — a 1.3% lead for the Core m3-7Y30. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-661 vs 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y30.

Feature	Core i5-661	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	2,387	2,418+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	645
Geekbench 6 Single	—	768
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,481

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-661 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 i5-661	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	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	10

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-661) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30). The Core m3-7Y30 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Core i5-661 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable.

Feature	Core i5-661	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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-661 was priced at $196, while the Core m3-7Y30 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($196 vs $281), Core i5-661 was $85 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-661 delivers 12.2 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Core m3-7Y30 — making the Core i5-661 the 34.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-661	Core m3-7Y30
MSRP	$196-30%	$281
Performance per Dollar	12.2+42%	8.6
Release Date	2010	2016

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