Core i5-661 vs Xeon L3360
Core i5-661
Xeon L3360
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 L3360 is on rank 809, so the Xeon L3360 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 L3360
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-661 | Xeon L3360 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-661 | Xeon L3360 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 L3360
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 L3360
The Xeon L3360 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Base frequency: 2.83 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,412 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i5-661 is built on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-661 scores 2,387 against the Xeon L3360's 2,412 — a 1% lead for the Xeon L3360. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-661 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon L3360.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Xeon L3360 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | — |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 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) | — |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | — |
| PassMark | 2,387 | 2,412+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-661 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon L3360 uses LGA775 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-661 | Xeon L3360 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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