Xeon D-2712T vs Xeon E5-2660

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-2712T vs Xeon E5-2660 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-2712T vs Xeon E5-2660: 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-2712T

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,990 vs 8,067).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2660

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,329 MSRP, while Xeon D-2712T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2660 better than Xeon D-2712T?

Yes. Xeon E5-2660 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2660 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.9% 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 E5-2660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2660 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2660 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon D-2712T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-2712T vs Xeon E5-2660 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-2712T

The Xeon D-2712T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-D (2022−2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2579. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,990 points. Launch price was $349.

Xeon E5-2660

The Xeon E5-2660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,067 points. Launch price was $85.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-2712T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon D-2712T versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon D-2712T uses the Ice Lake-D (2022−2023) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-2712T scores 7,990 against the Xeon E5-2660's 8,067 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2660. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Xeon D-2712T vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660.

Feature	Xeon D-2712T	Xeon E5-2660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.2 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-D (2022−2023)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	7,990	8,067

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-2712T uses the FCBGA2579 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-2712T	Xeon E5-2660
Socket	FCBGA2579	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40