Core i5-661 CPU Review

How We Tested

During our benchmarking sessions, we used the configuration listed below. Between our benchmarking sessions the only variable was the CPU being tested and the motherboard, which had to be replaced to match the different CPU sockets.Hardware Configuration

Hardware Configuration

• Motherboard (Socket LGA1156): Intel DH55TC (86A.0027 BIOS)
• Motherboard (Socket AM3): ECS A785GM-M (07/19/07 BIOS)
• CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1156): Intel stock
• CPU Cooler (Socket AM3): AMD stock
• Memory: Two 1 GB Crucial CT12864BA1339 modules (DDR3-1333/PC2-10600, CL9, 1.5 V), configured at 1,333 MHz
• Hard Disk Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB (WD1001FALS, SATA-300, 7,200 rpm, 32 MB buffer)
• Video Card: Zotac GeForce 9600 GT
• Video Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 932BW
• Power Supply: SilverStone Element ST75EF 750 W
• Optical Drive: Lite-On LH-20A1L

Operating System Configuration

• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
• NTFS
• Video resolution: 1440×900 75 Hz

Driver Versions – Intel

• Intel video driver version: 15.16.4.x.2008
• Intel Inf chipset driver version: 9.1.1.1020
• Intel network driver version: 14.8.1
• Realtek audio driver version: 5964
• NVIDIA video driver version: 195.62

Driver Versions – AMD

• ATI video driver version: 8.631
• AMD chipset driver version: 3.1.1546.127
• AMD network driver version: 7.003.0522.2009
• Realtek audio driver version: 5859
• NVIDIA video driver version: 195.62

Software Used

• PCMark Vantage Professional 1.1.0
• VirtualDub 1.9.5 + MPEG-2 Plugin 3.1 + DivX 6.8.5
• Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended + GamingHeaven Photoshop Benchmark V3
• Adobe After Effects CS4
• WinRAR 3.91
• Cinebench 10
• 3DMark Vantage Professional 1.0.1
• Half-Life 2: Episode Two – Patch June 23th 2009 + HardwareOC Half-Life 2 Episode Two Benchmark Tool 1.2.0.0
• Fallout 3 – Patch 1.7

Error Margin

We adopted a 3% error margin; thus, differences below 3% cannot be considered relevant. In other words, products with a performance difference below 3% should be considered as having similar performance.