Xeon E3-1225 v2 vs Xeon X5660

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 E3-1225 v2 vs Xeon X5660 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 E3-1225 v2 vs Xeon X5660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1225 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5660 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon X5660

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,979 vs 6,015).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,219 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1225 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1225 v2 better than Xeon X5660?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon X5660 is ahead with a 14.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1225 v2 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1225 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Xeon E3-1225 v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon X5660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1225 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,219 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5660 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X5660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1225 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1225 v2 vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1225 v2

The Xeon E3-1225 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 6,015 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon X5660

The Xeon X5660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,979 points. Launch price was $33.

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Processing Power

The Xeon X5660 is built on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1225 v2 scores 6,015 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1225 v2.

Feature	Xeon E3-1225 v2	Xeon X5660
Cores / Threads	—	6 / 12
Boost Clock	—	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	—	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	—	32 nm
Architecture	—	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,015	5,979

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1225 v2) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660). Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.