Core i7-5700HQ 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 i7-5700HQ 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 i7-5700HQ 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 i7-5700HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 47W instead of 95W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌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

✅+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 6,037).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,219 MSRP, while Core i7-5700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌102.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5700HQ 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 i7-5700HQ 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 i7-5700HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% 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, Core i7-5700HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-5700HQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon X5660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-5700HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X5660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-5700HQ 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 / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-5700HQ vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-5700HQ

The Core i7-5700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,037 points. Launch price was $378.

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 i7-5700HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-5700HQ versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 — a 9% clock advantage for the Core i7-5700HQ (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-5700HQ uses the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5660 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5700HQ scores 6,037 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-5700HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-5700HQ vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660.

Feature	Core i7-5700HQ	Xeon X5660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-H (2015)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,037	5,979

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5700HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5660 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-5700HQ	Xeon X5660
Socket	BGA1364	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 i7-5700HQ) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660). Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.