Apple M2 Pro vs i5-661

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-661
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 87 Watt
1.58
Apple M2 Pro
2023
12 cores / 12 threads, 2424 Watt
13.95
+783%

Apple M2 Pro outperforms Core i5-661 by a whopping 783% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2110537
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.08no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataApple Apple M-Series
Power efficiency1.69no data
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)no data
Release date7 January 2010 (14 years ago)17 January 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$252no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro 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 cores2 (Dual-core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads412
Base clock speed3.33 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)3.3 MB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)36 MB
L3 cache4 MB (shared)24 MB
Chip lithography32 nm5 nm
Die size81 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature70 °Cno data
Number of transistors382 million40000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro 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 configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA1156no data
Power consumption (TDP)87 Watt2424 ‑ 3504 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
AES-NI+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
FDI+no data

Security technologies

Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3no data
Maximum memory size16.38 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® ProcessorsApple M2 Pro 19-Core GPU
Clear Video HD+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro.

PCIe version2.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

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


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.

i5-661 1.58
Apple M2 Pro 13.95
+783%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i5-661 2470
Apple M2 Pro 21742
+780%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.58 13.95
Recency 7 January 2010 17 January 2023
Physical cores 2 12
Threads 4 12
Chip lithography 32 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 87 Watt 2424 Watt

i5-661 has 2686.2% lower power consumption.

Apple M2 Pro, on the other hand, has a 782.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 13 years, 500% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and a 540% more advanced lithography process.

The Apple M2 Pro is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-661 in performance tests.

Note that Core i5-661 is a desktop processor while Apple M2 Pro is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-661 and Apple M2 Pro, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-661
Core i5-661
Apple M2 Pro
M2 Pro

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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