Core i7-1160G7 vs Xeon E5-2670

CPU

GPU

Core i7-1160G7

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2020

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Xeon E5-2670

8 Cores16 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

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Core i7-1160G7 vs Xeon E5-2670 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-1160G7

4 / 8

8,720

0.0%

8,901

+2.1%

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 i7-1160G7 vs Xeon E5-2670 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 i7-1160G7 vs Xeon E5-2670: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1160G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,126 less on MSRP ($426 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Delivers 256.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 5.7 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 115W, a 100W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Xeon E5-2670 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2670 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,720 vs 8,901).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2670, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2670

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% 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, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 4.
✅900% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.7 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($1,552 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
❌666.7% higher power demand at 115W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1160G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2670 better than Core i7-1160G7?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2670 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-1160G7 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 E5-2670 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% 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 E5-2670 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2670 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon E5-2670 comes in 264.3% more expensive on MSRP at $1,552 MSRP versus $426 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-1160G7 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.6% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i7-1160G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-1160G7 vs Xeon E5-2670 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-1160G7

The Core i7-1160G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 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: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,720 points. Launch price was $426.

Xeon E5-2670

The Xeon E5-2670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,901 points. Launch price was $145.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-1160G7 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2670 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2670 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-1160G7 versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2670 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-1160G7 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-1160G7 uses the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-2670 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1160G7 scores 8,720 against the Xeon E5-2670's 8,901 — a 2.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2670. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1160G7 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2670.

Feature	Core i7-1160G7	Xeon E5-2670
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+33%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.6 GHz+117%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	8,720	8,901+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,758	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1160G7 uses the FCBGA1598 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2670 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i7-1160G7 versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2670 — the Core i7-1160G7 supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2670 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-1160G7) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2670). PCIe lanes: 4 (Core i7-1160G7) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2670) — the Xeon E5-2670 offers 36 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Tiger Lake-UP3 (Core i7-1160G7) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2670).

Feature	Core i7-1160G7	Xeon E5-2670
Socket	FCBGA1598	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4x-4267+167%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	384 GB+1100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	4	40+900%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-1160G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1160G7) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2670). The Core i7-1160G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Xeon E5-2670 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1160G7 targets Premium Ultrabook/Tablet, Xeon E5-2670 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i7-1160G7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.

Feature	Core i7-1160G7	Xeon E5-2670
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Premium Ultrabook/Tablet	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-1160G7 was priced at $426, while the Xeon E5-2670 came in at $1552. On launch pricing ($426 vs $1552), Core i7-1160G7 was $1126 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-1160G7 delivers 20.5 pts/$ vs 5.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2670 — making the Core i7-1160G7 the 112.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-1160G7	Xeon E5-2670
MSRP	$426-73%	$1552
Performance per Dollar	20.5+260%	5.7
Release Date	2020	2012

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