Core i9-8950HK 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 i9-8950HK 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 i9-8950HK 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 i9-8950HK

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-1660 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-8950HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,332 vs 10,373).
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-8950HK better than Xeon E5-1660 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-8950HK 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 i9-8950HK is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% 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 i9-8950HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i9-8950HK still makes the most sense overall. Core i9-8950HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i9-8950HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-8950HK vs Xeon E5-1660 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-8950HK

The Core i9-8950HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,373 points. Launch price was $583.

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 i9-8950HK and Xeon E5-1660 v2 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-8950HK versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v2 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-8950HK (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-8950HK uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-8950HK scores 10,373 against the Xeon E5-1660 v2's 10,332 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i9-8950HK. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i9-8950HK vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v2.

Feature	Core i9-8950HK	Xeon E5-1660 v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+20%	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.7 GHz+28%
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-H (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	10,373	10,332

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-8950HK uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.