Pentium Gold 8500 vs Xeon X5660

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.

Pentium Gold 8500 vs Xeon X5660 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.

Pentium Gold 8500 vs Xeon X5660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Gold 8500

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 29W instead of 95W, a 66W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1366 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5660 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,949 vs 5,979).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5660, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon X5660

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,219 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 8500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌227.6% higher power demand at 95W vs 29W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1366, while Pentium Gold 8500 moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X5660 better than Pentium Gold 8500?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Gold 8500 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 X5660 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% 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 X5660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon X5660 is the better buy right now. Xeon X5660 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,219 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold 8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2010) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of LGA1366. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Pentium Gold 8500 vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Gold 8500

The Pentium Gold 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Max frequency: 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 29 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5-5200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 5,949 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon X5660

The Xeon X5660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,979 points. Launch price was $33.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Gold 8500 packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon X5660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5660 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 8500 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 8500. The Xeon X5660 is built on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium Gold 8500 scores 5,949 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon X5660. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium Gold 8500 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660.

Feature	Pentium Gold 8500	Xeon X5660
Cores / Threads	5 / 6	6 / 12+20%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+38%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	5,949	5,979

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold 8500 uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon X5660 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Gold 8500	Xeon X5660
Socket	FCBGA1781	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Gold 8500) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660). Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.