Xeon D-2166NT vs Xeon Gold 5115

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.

Xeon D-2166NT vs Xeon Gold 5115 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.

Xeon D-2166NT vs Xeon Gold 5115: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon D-2166NT

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 14 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5115 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon Gold 5115

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,017 vs 15,105).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 17 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-2166NT better than Xeon Gold 5115?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 5115 is ahead with a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-2166NT pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Xeon D-2166NT also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 14 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-2166NT is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 14 MB).

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

Xeon D-2166NT still makes the most sense overall. Xeon D-2166NT comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Xeon D-2166NT makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017), 20% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 14 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon D-2166NT vs Xeon Gold 5115 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-2166NT

The Xeon D-2166NT is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2518. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,105 points. Launch price was $1,005.

Xeon Gold 5115

The Xeon Gold 5115 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 13.75 MB. L2 cache: 10 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 15,017 points. Launch price was $1,221.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-2166NT packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5115 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon D-2166NT has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon D-2166NT versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5115 — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5115 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon D-2166NT scores 15,105 against the Xeon Gold 5115's 15,017 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon D-2166NT. L3 cache: 16.5 MB on the Xeon D-2166NT vs 13.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 5115.

Feature	Xeon D-2166NT	Xeon Gold 5115
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.4 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	16.5 MB+20%	13.75 MB
L2 Cache	12 MB+20%	10 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	15,105	15,017

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-2166NT uses the FCBGA2518 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5115 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.