Core i7-680UM vs Pentium E6600

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.

Core i7-680UM vs Pentium E6600 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-680UM vs Pentium E6600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-680UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium E6600

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,194 vs 1,196).
❌Launch MSRP is still $84 MSRP, while Core i7-680UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-680UM better than Pentium E6600?

Yes. Core i7-680UM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-680UM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-680UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-680UM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-680UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $84 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium E6600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-680UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-680UM vs Pentium E6600 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-680UM

The Core i7-680UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.46 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 1,196 points. Launch price was $317.

Pentium E6600

The Pentium E6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,194 points. Launch price was $16.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-680UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium E6600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i7-680UM versus 0.07 GHz on the Pentium E6600 — a 189.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-680UM (base: 1.46 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i7-680UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E6600 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-680UM scores 1,196 against the Pentium E6600's 1,194 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-680UM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-680UM vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6600.

Feature	Core i7-680UM	Pentium E6600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz+3514%	0.07 GHz
Base Clock	1.46 GHz	3.06 GHz+110%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (total)+700%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,196	1,194

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-680UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E6600 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.