Core i7-720QM vs Core i5-661

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2009	2325
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.35	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Laptop
Series	no data	Intel Core i7
Architecture codename	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
Release date	7 January 2010 (14 years ago)	23 September 2009 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$252	$546
Current price	$42 (0.2x MSRP)	$418 (0.8x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	2 (Dual-core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	4	8
Base clock speed	3.33 GHz	1.6 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.6 GHz	2.8 GHz
Bus support	no data	2500 MHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	4 MB (shared)	6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Die size	81 mm2	296 mm2
Maximum core temperature	70 °C	100 °C
Number of transistors	382 million	774 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA1156	FCPGA988,PGA988
Power consumption (TDP)	87 Watt	45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2	Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI	+	-
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	1.0	1.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
PAE	36 Bit	36 Bit
FDI	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	+
EDB	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
Maximum memory size	16.38 GB	8 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	21 GB/s	21 GB/s
ECC memory support	no data	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors	None
Clear Video HD	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

2

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM.

PCIe version	2.0	2
PCI Express lanes	16	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Core i5-661 outperforms Core i7-720QM by 50% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	1.60	1.07
Recency	7 January 2010	23 September 2009
Physical cores	2	4
Threads	4	8
Cost	$252	$546
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	87 Watt	45 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-661 and Core i7-720QM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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