Core Ultra 7 164U 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 Ultra 7 164U 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 Ultra 7 164U 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 Ultra 7 164U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2551 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc, while Xeon E5-1660 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

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 Ultra 7 164U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,582 vs 12,625).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,080 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 164U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 164U moves to FCBGA2551 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 164U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 164U 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 Ultra 7 164U 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 Ultra 7 164U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.0% 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, Core Ultra 7 164U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 164U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1660 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 164U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1660 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 164U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2014), a healthier platform with FCBGA2551 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 164U vs Xeon E5-1660 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 7 164U

The Core Ultra 7 164U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,625 points. Launch price was $448.

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 Ultra 7 164U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 164U uses the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 164U scores 12,625 against the Xeon E5-1660 v3's 12,582 — a 0.3% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 164U vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 164U	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Cores / Threads	12 / 14+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+37%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	3 GHz+173%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Meteor Lake-U (2023)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,625	12,582
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,766	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,131	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,973	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 164U uses the FCBGA2551 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 164U	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Socket	FCBGA2551	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5x-6400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660 v3). The Core Ultra 7 164U includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.