Core i5-6600 vs Xeon X5660

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 i5-6600 vs Xeon X5660 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 i5-6600 vs Xeon X5660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6600

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $995 less on MSRP ($224 MSRP vs $1,219 MSRP).
✅Delivers 451.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.0 vs 4.9 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $1,219 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5660 across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5660, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon X5660

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.0% higher average FPS across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,979 vs 6,058).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.9 vs 27.0 PassMark/$ ($1,219 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6600 better than Xeon X5660?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-6600 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 i5-6600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-6600 comes in $995 cheaper on MSRP at $224 MSRP versus $1,219 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5660 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.0% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 451.4% better value on MSRP (27.0 vs 4.9 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6600 vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6600

The Core i5-6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,058 points. Launch price was $224.

Xeon X5660

The Xeon X5660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,979 points. Launch price was $33.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-6600 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5660 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600 scores 6,058 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-6600. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Xeon X5660
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+22%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+18%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,058+1%	5,979

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5660 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Xeon X5660
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-6600) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660). Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Xeon X5660
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6600 was priced at $224, while the Xeon X5660 came in at $1219. On launch pricing ($224 vs $1219), Core i5-6600 was $995 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6600 delivers 27.0 pts/$ vs 4.9 pts/$ for the Xeon X5660 — making the Core i5-6600 the 138.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Xeon X5660
MSRP	$224-82%	$1219
Performance per Dollar	27.0+451%	4.9
Release Date	2015	2010

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