Core i7-6660U vs Core i5-7300U

Core i7-6660U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2016

Core i5-7300U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-6660U

2 / 4

3,628

0.0%

3,631

+0.1%

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 i7-6660U is positioned at rank 612 and the Core i5-7300U is on rank 611, so the Core i5-7300U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6660U

#600

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

809%

#601

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

797%

#602

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

732%

#603

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

728%

#604

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

722%

#606

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

697%

#607

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

668%

#608

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

667%

#609

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

649%

#612

Core i7-6660U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#622

Athlon II P320

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

98%

#625

Core 3 N355

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7300U

#599

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

808%

#600

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

796%

#601

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

731%

#602

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

728%

#603

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

721%

#605

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

696%

#606

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

668%

#607

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

666%

#608

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

649%

#611

Core i5-7300U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#622

Athlon II P320

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

98%

#625

Core 3 N355

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-7300U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-6660U	Core i5-7300U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-6660U (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-2133, LPDDR3-1866, DDR3L-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-6660U	Core i5-7300U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i7-6660U Benchmark Check

Core i5-7300U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-6660U and Core i5-7300U

Core i7-6660U

The Core i7-6660U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 March 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133, LPDDR3-1866, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,628 points. Launch price was $415.

Core i5-7300U

The Core i5-7300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,631 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6660U and Core i5-7300U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6660U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7300U — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7300U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-6660U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7300U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6660U scores 3,628 against the Core i5-7300U's 3,631 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-7300U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-6660U vs 3 MB on the Core i5-7300U.

Feature	Core i7-6660U	Core i5-7300U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.6 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,628	3,631

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1356 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-6660U	Core i5-7300U
Socket	BGA1356	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-6660U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7300U). The Core i5-7300U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-6660U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7300U targets Mobile.