Xeon E-2126G vs Xeon E5-2660 v2

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 E-2126G vs Xeon E5-2660 v2 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 E-2126G vs Xeon E5-2660 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E-2126G

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 80W instead of 95W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.9 vs 7.4 PassMark/$ ($2,702 MSRP vs $1,393 MSRP).

Xeon E5-2660 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $1,309 less on MSRP ($1,393 MSRP vs $2,702 MSRP).
✅Delivers 92.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.4 vs 3.9 PassMark/$ ($1,393 MSRP vs $2,702 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,353 vs 10,437).
❌18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2126G better than Xeon E5-2660 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2660 v2 is ahead with a 21.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2126G pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2660 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2126G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Xeon E-2126G is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2660 v2 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2126G comes in 94.0% more expensive on MSRP at $2,702 MSRP versus $1,393 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2660 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 21.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2660 v2 is also 92.4% better value on MSRP (7.4 vs 3.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E-2126G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E-2126G vs Xeon E5-2660 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E-2126G

The Xeon E-2126G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,437 points. Launch price was $255.

Xeon E5-2660 v2

The Xeon E5-2660 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,353 points. Launch price was $850.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E-2126G packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2126G versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v2 — a 40% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2126G (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E-2126G uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2126G scores 10,437 against the Xeon E5-2660 v2's 10,353 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E-2126G. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2126G vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v2.

Feature	Xeon E-2126G	Xeon E5-2660 v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+50%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+50%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+108%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	10,437	10,353

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2126G uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E-2126G	Xeon E5-2660 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E-2126G was priced at $2702, while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 came in at $1393. On launch pricing ($2702 vs $1393), Xeon E5-2660 v2 was $1309 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E-2126G delivers 3.9 pts/$ vs 7.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2660 v2 — making the Xeon E5-2660 v2 the 63.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E-2126G	Xeon E5-2660 v2
MSRP	$2702	$1393-48%
Performance per Dollar	3.9	7.4+90%
Release Date	2018	2013

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