Xeon E5-1660 v2 vs Xeon E7540

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 E7540 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 E7540: 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

✅Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,332 vs 10,376).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 18 MB).
❌23.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 105W.

Xeon E7540

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Draws 105W instead of 130W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 v2 across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,980 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1660 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E7540 better than Xeon E5-1660 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1660 v2 is ahead with a 12.4% average FPS lead across 45 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7540 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E7540 also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 15 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7540 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Xeon E7540 is the better buy right now. Xeon E7540 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,980 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.4% average FPS lead across 45 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-1660 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1660 v2 vs Xeon E7540 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 E7540

The Xeon E7540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.27 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 10,376 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-1660 v2 and Xeon E7540 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v2 versus 2.27 GHz on the Xeon E7540 — a 55.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 v2 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 v2 is built on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 v2 scores 10,332 against the Xeon E7540's 10,376 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E7540. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v2 vs 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon E7540.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v2	Xeon E7540
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4 GHz+76%	2.27 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+85%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)	18 MB L3 Cache+20%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)	—
PassMark	10,332	10,376

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1660 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E7540 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v2	Xeon E7540
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1567
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	2 TB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	32