Core i7-660UM vs Celeron G550
Core i7-660UM
Celeron G550
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 i7-660UM is positioned at rank 1225 and the Celeron G550 is on rank 698, so the Celeron G550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-660UM
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-660UM | Celeron G550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($317) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-660UM | Celeron G550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2007%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($317) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 i7-660UM and Celeron G550
Core i7-660UM
The Core i7-660UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,279 points. Launch price was $317.
Celeron G550
The Celeron G550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,275 points. Launch price was $80.
Processing Power
The Core i7-660UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron G550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-660UM versus 2.6 GHz on the Celeron G550 — a 8% clock advantage for the Celeron G550 (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-660UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron G550 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-660UM scores 1,279 against the Celeron G550's 1,275 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-660UM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 250 vs 379, a 41% lead for the Celeron G550 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 600 vs 663 (10% advantage for the Celeron G550). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-660UM vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G550.
| Feature | Core i7-660UM | Celeron G550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.6 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 1.33 GHz | 2.6 GHz+95% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+100% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,279 | 1,275 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 250 | 379+52% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 600 | 663+11% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-660UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G550 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Celeron G550 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57,HM57 (Core i7-660UM) and H61,B65,H67,Z68 (Celeron G550).
| Feature | Core i7-660UM | Celeron G550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 32 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-660UM) vs VT-x (Celeron G550). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i7-660UM) and HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron G550) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-660UM targets Budget, Celeron G550 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G550 rivals Pentium G630.
| Feature | Core i7-660UM | Celeron G550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics | HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x |
| Target Use | Budget | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-660UM launched at $317 MSRP, while the Celeron G550 debuted at $52.
| Feature | Core i7-660UM | Celeron G550 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $317 | $52-84% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $15 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2012 |
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