Core i5-11260H vs Xeon E5-4660 v4

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 i5-11260H vs Xeon E5-4660 v4 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 i5-11260H vs Xeon E5-4660 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11260H

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 120W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 40 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4660 v4, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.

Xeon E5-4660 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+233.3% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,375 vs 15,459).
❌242.9% higher power demand at 120W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11260H better than Xeon E5-4660 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4660 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11260H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-11260H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% 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, Core i5-11260H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11260H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-11260H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-11260H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 16/32. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11260H vs Xeon E5-4660 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11260H

The Core i5-11260H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,459 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-4660 v4

The Xeon E5-4660 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,375 points. Launch price was $4,727.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11260H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-4660 v4 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-4660 v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11260H versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-4660 v4 — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-11260H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-11260H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-4660 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11260H scores 15,459 against the Xeon E5-4660 v4's 15,375 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-11260H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11260H vs 40 MB on the Xeon E5-4660 v4.

Feature	Core i5-11260H	Xeon E5-4660 v4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+47%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+18%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	40 MB+233%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4 MB+220%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	15,459	15,375

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11260H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-4660 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.