U300 vs Xeon E5-1660

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.

U300 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.

U300 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.

U300

2023

Why buy it

✅+2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 55W instead of 130W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1660, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,324 vs 8,492).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,080 MSRP, while U300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌136.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while U300 moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is U300 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 U300 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, U300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 5 cores and 6 threads.

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

U300 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. U300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you 2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

U300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2012), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 5 cores / 6 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

U300 vs Xeon E5-1660 Technical Specifications

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

U300

The U300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2023 (2 years ago). 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: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 8,492 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Processing Power

The U300 packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the U300 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 12% clock advantage for the U300. The Xeon E5-1660 is built on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the U300 scores 8,492 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 2% lead for the U300. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the U300 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	U300	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	5 / 6	6 / 12+20%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+13%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	—	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,492+2%	8,324

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Memory & Platform

The U300 uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.