Core i7-660UM vs Core i3-390M
Core i7-660UM
Core i3-390M
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 Core i3-390M is on rank 585, so the Core i3-390M 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 Core i3-390M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-660UM | Core i3-390M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($317) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-660UM | Core i3-390M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($317) | ✅ 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 i7-660UM and Core i3-390M
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.
Core i3-390M
The Core i3-390M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 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: 1,292 points. Launch price was $39.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-660UM and Core i3-390M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-660UM versus 0.67 GHz on the Core i3-390M — a 112.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-660UM (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-660UM scores 1,279 against the Core i3-390M's 1,292 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-390M. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-660UM vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-390M.
| Feature | Core i7-660UM | Core i3-390M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz+258% | 0.67 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.33 GHz | 2.66 GHz+100% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,279 | 1,292+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 250 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-660UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-390M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i7-660UM | Core i3-390M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| 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 (Core i3-390M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i7-660UM) and HD Graphics (Core i3-390M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-660UM targets Budget, Core i3-390M targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i7-660UM | Core i3-390M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics | HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x |
| Target Use | Budget | Mobile |
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