Core i7-11600H vs Xeon E5-2660 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 i7-11600H 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 i7-11600H 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 i7-11600H

2021

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,441 vs 15,650).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 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

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+94.4% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads.

Trade-offs

❌200% higher power demand at 105W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11600H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2660 v4 better than Core i7-11600H?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2660 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-11600H 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 E5-2660 v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% 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 E5-2660 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 94.4% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2660 v4 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2660 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-11600H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-11600H vs Xeon E5-2660 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-11600H

The Core i7-11600H 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 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: 15,441 points. Launch price was $395.

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 (2015−2019) 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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-11600H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v4 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11600H versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v4 — a 35.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-11600H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-11600H uses the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11600H scores 15,441 against the Xeon E5-2660 v4's 15,650 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2660 v4. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i7-11600H vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2660 v4.

Feature	Core i7-11600H	Xeon E5-2660 v4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	14 / 28+133%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+44%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	35 MB+94%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	3.5 MB+180%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake H45 (2021)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	15,441	15,650+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,903	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11600H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-11600H	Xeon E5-2660 v4
Socket	FCBGA1787	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 i7-11600H) / not specified (Xeon E5-2660 v4). The Core i7-11600H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11600H targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11600H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.