Xeon E3-1515M v5 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 E3-1515M v5 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 E3-1515M v5 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 E3-1515M v5

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics P580, while Xeon X5660 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,925 vs 5,979).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon X5660

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,219 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1515M v5 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1515M v5 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1515M v5 better than Xeon X5660?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1515M v5 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X5660 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon X5660 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X5660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1515M v5 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon X5660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1515M v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon X5660 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon X5660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1515M v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1515M v5 vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1515M v5

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,925 points. Launch price was $489.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1515M v5 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5660 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1515M v5 scores 5,925 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon X5660. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660.

Feature	Xeon E3-1515M v5	Xeon X5660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+16%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake-H (2015−2016)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	5,925	5,979
Geekbench 6 Single	1,017	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5660 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5660 — the Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E3-1515M v5) vs 3 (Xeon X5660). Chipset compatibility: SoC (Xeon E3-1515M v5) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5660).

Feature	Xeon E3-1515M v5	Xeon X5660
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P580), while the Xeon X5660 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1515M v5 targets Productivity, Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1515M v5 rivals Core i7-6700HQ; Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.

Feature	Xeon E3-1515M v5	Xeon X5660
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Pro Graphics P580	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Productivity	Workstation