Xeon E3-1585 v5 vs Xeon E5-1660

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 E3-1585 v5 vs Xeon E5-1660 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 E3-1585 v5 vs Xeon E5-1660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1585 v5

2016

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,324 vs 8,408).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,080 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1585 v5 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1585 v5 better than Xeon E5-1660?

Yes. Xeon E3-1585 v5 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1585 v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1585 v5 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1585 v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1585 v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1585 v5 vs Xeon E5-1660 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1585 v5

The Xeon E3-1585 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L,LPDDR3 1600 MHz, DDR4 2133 MHz at 1.2V. Passmark benchmark score: 8,408 points. Launch price was $556.

Xeon E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1585 v5 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1585 v5 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Xeon E3-1585 v5 uses the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1585 v5 scores 8,408 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E3-1585 v5. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1585 v5 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	Xeon E3-1585 v5	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+6%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake-H (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,408+1%	8,324

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1585 v5 uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.