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 Pentium G4500T 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 Pentium G4500T: 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

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 87W instead of 512W, a 425W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,387 vs 2,399).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.2 vs 32.0 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G4500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium G4500T.

Pentium G4500T

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $121 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
✅Delivers 162.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.0 vs 12.2 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Core i5-661 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌488.5% higher power demand at 512W vs 87W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4500T better than Core i5-661?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-661 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4500T pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i5-661 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G4500T is the better buy right now. Pentium G4500T comes in $121 cheaper on MSRP at $75 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-661 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 162.6% better value on MSRP (32.0 vs 12.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium G4500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 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 Pentium G4500T 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.

Pentium G4500T

The Pentium G4500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,399 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-661 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G4500T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-661 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium G4500T — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-661 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-661 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G4500T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-661 scores 2,387 against the Pentium G4500T's 2,399 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium G4500T. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-661 vs 3 MB on the Pentium G4500T.

Feature	Core i5-661	Pentium G4500T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+11%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,387	2,399
Geekbench 6 Single	—	701
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,260

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-661 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G4500T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-661	Pentium G4500T
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-661) / VT-x, VT-d (Pentium G4500T). The Pentium G4500T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-661 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G4500T targets Low Power Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-661	Pentium G4500T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Low Power Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-661 was priced at $196, while the Pentium G4500T came in at $75. On launch pricing ($196 vs $75), Pentium G4500T was $121 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-661 delivers 12.2 pts/$ vs 32.0 pts/$ for the Pentium G4500T — making the Pentium G4500T the 89.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-661	Pentium G4500T
MSRP	$196	$75-62%
Performance per Dollar	12.2	32.0+162%
Release Date	2010	2015

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