Core i5-11500T 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 i5-11500T 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 i5-11500T 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 i5-11500T

2021

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $888 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 469.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.3 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 140W, a 105W reduction.
✅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.
❌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: +11.2% 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 (12,582 vs 12,730).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌300% higher power demand at 140W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500T better than Xeon E5-1660 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11500T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-11500T comes in $888 cheaper on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 469.1% better value on MSRP (66.3 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-11500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2014), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16, 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 i5-11500T vs Xeon E5-1660 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11500T

The Core i5-11500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,730 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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-11500T versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500T (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-11500T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500T scores 12,730 against the Xeon E5-1660 v3's 12,582 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-11500T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500T vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,730+1%	12,582
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,818	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,306	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500T) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660 v3). The Core i5-11500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500T targets Quiet Desktop / SFF. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500T rivals Core i5-10500T.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Quiet Desktop / SFF	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500T was priced at $192, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($192 vs $1080), Core i5-11500T was $888 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500T delivers 66.3 pts/$ vs 11.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — making the Core i5-11500T the 140.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Xeon E5-1660 v3
MSRP	$192-82%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	66.3+467%	11.7
Release Date	2021	2014

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