Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i5-660 (Intel, 2010) and Core i3-540 (Intel, 2010) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i5-660 is about 26.9% faster
Both use the same LGA1156 socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i5-660 | i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 3,300 | 2,600 |
| Generation | 1st Gen | 1st Gen |
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1156 |
| Release Year | 2010 | 2010 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon HD 7850 | GeForce GTX 650 Ti |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i5-660 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Either works (same LGA1156 socket) |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i3-540 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i5-660 is about 26.9% higher by score (i5-660: 3300 points / i3-540: 2600 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Both are 1st Gen-generation CPUs.Both use the same LGA1156 socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon HD 7850 pairs well with i5-660 and GeForce GTX 650 Ti pairs well with i3-540. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
