Core i7-5960X vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i7-5960X vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i7-5960X vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i7-5960X

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1660 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1660 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,341 vs 13,382).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5960X better than Xeon E5-1660 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-5960X 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 i7-5960X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-5960X is the better buy right now. Core i7-5960X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $999 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 v4 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-1660 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-5960X vs Xeon E5-1660 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-5960X

The Core i7-5960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-E (2014) 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. Passmark benchmark score: 13,382 points. Launch price was $999.

Xeon E5-1660 v4

The Xeon E5-1660 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 13,341 points. Launch price was $1,113.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-5960X and Xeon E5-1660 v4 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-5960X versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v4 — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 v4 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-5960X uses the Haswell-E (2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5960X scores 13,382 against the Xeon E5-1660 v4's 13,341 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-5960X. Both processors carry 20 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-5960X	Xeon E5-1660 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-E (2014)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	13,382	13,341
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,720	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,244	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,412	—