Core i3-12100T vs Xeon E5-1660 v3

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-12100T vs Xeon E5-1660 v3 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-12100T vs Xeon E5-1660 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-12100T

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $955 less on MSRP ($125 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 757.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 99.9 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 140W, a 105W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,491 vs 12,582).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1660 v3, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-1660 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 99.9 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
❌300% higher power demand at 140W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core i3-12100T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-12100T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-12100T.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1660 v3 better than Core i3-12100T?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-12100T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5-1660 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12100T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-1660 v3 comes in 764.0% more expensive on MSRP at $1,080 MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-12100T is also 757.8% better value on MSRP (99.9 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-12100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12100T vs Xeon E5-1660 v3 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-12100T

The Core i3-12100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,491 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-1660 v3

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,582 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-12100T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-12100T versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — a 15.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-12100T (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-12100T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100T scores 12,491 against the Xeon E5-1660 v3's 12,582 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v3. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100T vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3.

Feature	Core i3-12100T	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+17%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,491	12,582
Geekbench 6 Single	2,102	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-12100T	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100T) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660 v3). The Core i3-12100T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100T rivals Ryzen 3 5300GE.

Feature	Core i3-12100T	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12100T was priced at $125, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($125 vs $1080), Core i3-12100T was $955 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12100T delivers 99.9 pts/$ vs 11.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — making the Core i3-12100T the 158.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-12100T	Xeon E5-1660 v3
MSRP	$125-88%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	99.9+754%	11.7
Release Date	2022	2014

Search Core i3-12100T on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-1660 v3 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.