Core i5-661 vs Pentium P6200

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 P6200 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 P6200: 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).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,387 vs 2,394).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.2 vs 39.9 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
❌148.6% higher power demand at 87W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium P6200 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium P6200

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $136 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
✅Delivers 227.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.9 vs 12.2 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 87W, a 52W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium P6200 better than Core i5-661?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-661 is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium P6200 pulls ahead with 0.3% 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 P6200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium P6200 is the better buy right now. Pentium P6200 comes in $136 cheaper on MSRP at $60 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-661 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 227.6% better value on MSRP (39.9 vs 12.2 PassMark/$), 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 P6200 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-661 vs Pentium P6200 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 P6200

The Pentium P6200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,394 points. Launch price was $60.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-661 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium P6200's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-661 versus 0.13 GHz on the Pentium P6200 — a 186.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-661 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Core i5-661 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium P6200 uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-661 scores 2,387 against the Pentium P6200's 2,394 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium P6200. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-661 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium P6200.

Feature	Core i5-661	Pentium P6200
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+2669%	0.13 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+56%	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,387	2,394
Geekbench 6 Single	—	200
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	400

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-661 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium P6200 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-661	Pentium P6200
Socket	LGA1156	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-661) / None (Pentium P6200). The Pentium P6200 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core i5-661 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium P6200 targets Legacy Laptop.

Feature	Core i5-661	Pentium P6200
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	None
Target Use	—	Legacy Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-661 was priced at $196, while the Pentium P6200 came in at $60. On launch pricing ($196 vs $60), Pentium P6200 was $136 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-661 delivers 12.2 pts/$ vs 39.9 pts/$ for the Pentium P6200 — making the Pentium P6200 the 106.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-661	Pentium P6200
MSRP	$196	$60-69%
Performance per Dollar	12.2	39.9+227%
Release Date	2010	2010

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