Intel Core i5-660 vs Intel Core i7-2600K

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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 i7-2600K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-2600K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i5-660 Name Intel Core i7-2600K
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i7
1 Generation 2
Intel Core i5 600 Group Intel Core i 2000
 
 

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 i7-2600K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-2600K is 3.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.8 GHz
No Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.33 GHz Frequency 3.4 GHz
4 Threads 8
None None 3.8 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
2 CPU Cores 4
2x Cores 4x
 
 

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 i7-2600K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-2600K uses the Intel HD Graphics 3000, which has 96 texture shaders
0.5 GHz GPU frequency 0.85 GHz
Q1/2010 Release date Q1/2011
10.1 Direct X 10.1
Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) GPU name Intel HD Graphics 3000
32 nm Technology 32 nm
-- Max. displays --
24 Shaders 96
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
12 Execution units 12
5 Generation 6
0.73 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.35 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 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode h264 Decode / Encode
No VP8 No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No JPEG No
No AV1 No
 
 

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 32.0 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.
2 Memory channels 2
16.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
21.0 GB/s Bandwidth 21.0 GB/s
DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
 
 

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 95 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
73 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 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 i7-2600K is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
Q1/2010 Release date Q1/2011
-- Part Number --
512.0 KB L2-Cache 1.0 MB
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Clarkdale Architecture Sandy Bridge S
32 nm Technology 32 nm
LGA 1156 Socket LGA 1155
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
193 $ Release price 270 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
4.0 MB L3-Cache 8.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
3098
3098
Intel Core i5-660
2C 4T @ 3.33 GHz
1308
1308