Core i7-7800X vs Xeon E5-2660 v3
Core i7-7800X
Xeon E5-2660 v3
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core i7-7800X is positioned at rank #551 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7800X
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2660 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-7800X | Xeon E5-2660 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($254) | ✅ More affordable ($150) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-7800X | Xeon E5-2660 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+70%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($254) | ✅ More affordable ($150) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-7800X and Xeon E5-2660 v3
Core i7-7800X
The Core i7-7800X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 12,963 points. Launch price was $383.
Xeon E5-2660 v3
The Xeon E5-2660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 13,039 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i7-7800X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-7800X versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v3 — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-7800X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-7800X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7800X scores 12,963 against the Xeon E5-2660 v3's 13,039 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2660 v3. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total) on the Core i7-7800X vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v3.
| Feature | Core i7-7800X | Xeon E5-2660 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 20+67% |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+21% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+35% | 2.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8.25 MB (total) | 25 MB (total)+203% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 12,963 | 13,039 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,897 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,114 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 6,951 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-7800X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2660 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i7-7800X) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2660 v3) — the Xeon E5-2660 v3 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i7-7800X) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2660 v3).
| Feature | Core i7-7800X | Xeon E5-2660 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 768 GB+500% |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 4 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28 | 40+43% |
Advanced Features
Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-7800X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2660 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2660 v3 targets Server.
| Feature | Core i7-7800X | Xeon E5-2660 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Server |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-7800X launched at $383 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 debuted at $1445. At current prices ($254 vs $150), the Xeon E5-2660 v3 is $104 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-7800X delivers 51.0 pts/$ vs 86.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2660 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2660 v3 the 52% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-7800X | Xeon E5-2660 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $383-73% | $1445 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $254 | $150-41% |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.0 | 86.9+70% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2014 |
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