Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-1660

Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-1660 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 / 24

38,955

+368.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Xeon E5-1660

6 / 12

8,324

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-1660 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.

Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-1660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +102.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+326.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Costs $531 less on MSRP ($549 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 820.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 130W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,324 vs 38,955).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
❌23.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Xeon E5-1660?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 9 5900X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 102.6% 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, Ryzen 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 368% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 326.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in $531 cheaper on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 102.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 820.6% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 5900X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012), 326.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 15 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-1660 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

Xeon E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 9 5900X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 5900X scores 38,955 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 129.6% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+23%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB+327%	15360 kB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	38,955+368%	8,324
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,174	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,888	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon E5-1660
Socket	AM4	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	24	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon E5-1660
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 9 5900X was priced at $549, while the Xeon E5-1660 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($549 vs $1080), Ryzen 9 5900X was $531 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 5900X delivers 71.0 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 160.8% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon E5-1660
MSRP	$549-49%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	71.0+822%	7.7
Release Date	2020	2012

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