Core i7-8700T vs Xeon E5-1660 v2

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 i7-8700T vs Xeon E5-1660 v2 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 i7-8700T vs Xeon E5-1660 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700T

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,213 vs 10,332).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1660 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1660 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1660 v2 better than Core i7-8700T?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8700T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1660 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% 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, Xeon E5-1660 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1660 v2 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-1660 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-8700T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (33.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i7-8700T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8700T vs Xeon E5-1660 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8700T

The Core i7-8700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,213 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon E5-1660 v2

The Xeon E5-1660 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,332 points. Launch price was $1,809.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8700T and Xeon E5-1660 v2 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-8700T versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v2 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-8700T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700T scores 10,213 against the Xeon E5-1660 v2's 10,332 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v2. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-8700T vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v2.

Feature	Core i7-8700T	Xeon E5-1660 v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	10,213	10,332+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.