Core i7-8559U vs Xeon E5-1660

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 i7-8559U vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i7-8559U vs Xeon E5-1660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8559U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 130W, a 102W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,274 vs 8,324).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1660, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8559U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,080 MSRP, while Core i7-8559U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌364.3% higher power demand at 130W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8559U better than Xeon E5-1660?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8559U 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, Xeon E5-1660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-8559U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-8559U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8559U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8559U vs Xeon E5-1660 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8559U

The Core i7-8559U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,274 points. Launch price was $431.

Xeon E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8559U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8559U versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8559U (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-8559U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8559U scores 8,274 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-1660. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8559U vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	Core i7-8559U	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+15%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,274	8,324

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8559U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.