Core i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2660 v4

Intel

Core i5-11500H

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2660 v4

14 Cores28 Thrd105 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2016

Core i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2660 v4 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2660 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 i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2660 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 i5-11500H

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 35W instead of 105W, a 70W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU), while Xeon E5-2660 v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 35 MB).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2660 v4, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads.

Xeon E5-2660 v4

2016

Why buy it

  • βœ…+191.7% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 12 MB).
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (15,650 vs 15,669).
  • ❌200% higher power demand at 105W vs 35W.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500H better than Xeon E5-2660 v4?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2660 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11500H 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 i5-11500H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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 i5-11500H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-11500H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-11500H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11500H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 14/28, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2660 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-11500H

The Core i5-11500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: 15,669 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon E5-2660 v4

The Xeon E5-2660 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 15,650 points. Launch price was $1,445.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-11500H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads β€” the Xeon E5-2660 v4 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500H versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v4 β€” a 35.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500H (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-11500H uses the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses Broadwell (2015βˆ’2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500H scores 15,669 against the Xeon E5-2660 v4's 15,650 β€” a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-11500H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500H vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2660 v4.

FeatureCore i5-11500HXeon E5-2660 v4
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
14 / 28+133%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+44%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+45%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
35 MB+192%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
3.5 MB+180%
Process
10 nm SuperFin-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Tiger Lake H45 (2021)
Broadwell (2015βˆ’2019)
PassMark
15,669
15,650
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,532
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
1,801
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,248
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-11500HXeon E5-2660 v4
Socket
FCBGA1787
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
20
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500H) / not specified (Xeon E5-2660 v4). The Core i5-11500H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU)), while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

FeatureCore i5-11500HXeon E5-2660 v4
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU)
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
Yes
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
β€”
Target Use
Gaming
β€”