Xeon E5-1660 v2 vs Xeon E5-2643 v3

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 E5-1660 v2 vs Xeon E5-2643 v3 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 E5-1660 v2 vs Xeon E5-2643 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-1660 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 130W instead of 135W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2643 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,265 vs 10,332).
❌Launch MSRP is still $219 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1660 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1660 v2 better than Xeon E5-2643 v3?

Yes. Xeon E5-1660 v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1660 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% 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 E5-1660 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E5-1660 v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2643 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-1660 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2643 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (46.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2643 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1660 v2 vs Xeon E5-2643 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1660 v2

The Xeon E5-1660 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,332 points. Launch price was $1,809.

Xeon E5-2643 v3

The Xeon E5-2643 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,265 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-1660 v2 and Xeon E5-2643 v3 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v2 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 v3 — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 v2 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2643 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 v2 scores 10,332 against the Xeon E5-2643 v3's 10,265 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v2. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v2 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2643 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v2	Xeon E5-2643 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4 GHz+8%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	10,332	10,265