Core i7-8700 vs Xeon E5-1660 v3

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 i7-8700 vs Xeon E5-1660 v3 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 i7-8700 vs Xeon E5-1660 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $777 less on MSRP ($303 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 261.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.1 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1660 v3, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-1660 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,582 vs 12,747).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8700 better than Xeon E5-1660 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8700 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 i7-8700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% 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 i7-8700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-8700 is the better buy right now. Core i7-8700 comes in $777 cheaper on MSRP at $303 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 261.1% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-8700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8700 vs Xeon E5-1660 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8700

The Core i7-8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,747 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon E5-1660 v3

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) 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: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,582 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8700 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-8700 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700 scores 12,747 against the Xeon E5-1660 v3's 12,582 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i7-8700. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+31%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+7%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,747+1%	12,582
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,969	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,535	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,200	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660 v3). The Core i7-8700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8700 was priced at $303, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($303 vs $1080), Core i7-8700 was $777 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700 delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 11.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — making the Core i7-8700 the 113.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Xeon E5-1660 v3
MSRP	$303-72%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	42.1+260%	11.7
Release Date	2017	2014

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