Core i5-661 vs Xeon E5440
Core i5-661
Xeon E5440
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-661 is positioned at rank 959 and the Xeon E5440 is on rank 1008, so the Core i5-661 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-661
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5440
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-661 | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($37) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-661 | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($37) |
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 Xeon E5440
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.
Xeon E5440
The Xeon E5440 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 November 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 0.83 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,367 points. Launch price was $690.
Processing Power
The Core i5-661 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5440 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5440 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-661 versus 0.83 GHz on the Xeon E5440 — a 125.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-661 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.83 GHz). The Core i5-661 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5440 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-661 scores 2,387 against the Xeon E5440's 2,367 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-661. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-661 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5440.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+334% | 0.83 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz+18% | 2.83 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 12 MB L2 Cache+200% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 6 MB (total)+2300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Harpertown (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 2,387 | 2,367 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-661 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5440 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-661 launched at $196 MSRP, while the Xeon E5440 debuted at $690. At current prices ($40 vs $37), the Xeon E5440 is $3 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-661 delivers 59.7 pts/$ vs 64.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5440 — making the Xeon E5440 the 7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $196-72% | $690 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | $37-8% |
| Performance per Dollar | 59.7 | 64.0+7% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2007 |
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