Xeon E5-1650 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 E5-1650 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 E5-1650 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 E5-1650

2012

Why buy it

✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,056 vs 8,067).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.

Xeon E5-2660

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,329 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1650 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2660 better than Xeon E5-1650?

Yes. Xeon E5-2660 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2660 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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 E5-2660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2660 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2660 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-2660 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon E5-1650 vs Xeon E5-2660 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1650

The Xeon E5-1650 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 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: 8,056 points. Launch price was $175.

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 E5-1650 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1650 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1650 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-1650 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1650 scores 8,056 against the Xeon E5-2660's 8,067 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2660. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1650 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660.

Feature	Xeon E5-1650	Xeon E5-2660
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+27%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+45%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB (total)	20480 kB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	8,056	8,067

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 384 GB of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 40 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Xeon E5-1650	Xeon E5-2660
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	384 GB	384 GB
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	40