Xeon E3-1285L v4 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 E3-1285L v4 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 E3-1285L v4 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 E3-1285L v4

2015

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2660

2012

Why buy it

✅+233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,067 vs 8,092).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,329 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1285L v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1285L v4 better than Xeon E5-2660?

Yes. Xeon E3-1285L v4 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1285L v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% 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 E3-1285L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1285L v4 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1285L v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,329 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1285L v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1285L v4 vs Xeon E5-2660 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1285L v4

The Xeon E3-1285L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 8,092 points. Launch price was $800.

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 E3-1285L v4 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 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285L v4 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1285L v4 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1285L v4 scores 8,092 against the Xeon E5-2660's 8,067 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1285L v4. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285L v4 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285L v4	Xeon E5-2660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+27%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+55%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)+233%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-DT (2015)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	8,092	8,067

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285L v4	Xeon E5-2660
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40