Intel Core i5-660 vs Intel Core i3-12100

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-660 or Intel Core i5-660 – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i5-660 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-660, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1156 socket.
The Intel Core i3-12100 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2022 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-12100, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i5-660 Name Intel Core i3-12100
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i3
1 Generation 12
Intel Core i5 600 Group Intel Core i 12000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i5-660 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-660 is 3.33 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
The Intel Core i3-12100 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-12100 is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.3 GHz.
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.3 GHz
No Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.33 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
4 Threads 8
None None 4.0 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
2 CPU Cores 4
2x Cores 4x Golden Cove
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i5-660 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-660 uses the Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), which has 24 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i3-12100 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-12100 uses the Intel UHD Graphics 730, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
0.5 GHz GPU frequency 0.3 GHz
Q1/2010 Release date Q1/2021
10.1 Direct X 12
Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) GPU name Intel UHD Graphics 730
32 nm Technology 14 nm
-- Max. displays --
24 Shaders 192
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 64.0 GB
12 Execution units 24
5 Generation 12
0.73 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.4 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode AVC Decode / Encode
No VC-1 Decode
No VP9 Decode / Encode
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode h264 Decode / Encode
No VP8 Decode / Encode
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
No JPEG Decode / Encode
No AV1 Decode
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.0 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
16.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
21.0 GB/s Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 73 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 60 W watts.
-- Tjunction max 100 °C
None TDP (PL2) 89 W
73 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 60 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-660 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i3-12100 is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
Q1/2010 Release date Q1/2022
-- Part Number --
512.0 KB L2-Cache 5.0 MB
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Clarkdale Architecture Alder Lake S
32 nm Technology 10 nm
LGA 1156 Socket LGA 1700
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
193 $ Release price 122 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
4.0 MB L3-Cache 12.0 MB