Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon E5-1680 v2

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 v3 vs Xeon E5-1680 v2 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 v3 vs Xeon E5-1680 v2: 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 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $643 less on MSRP ($1,080 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 61.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.7 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Xeon E5-1680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 140W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,396 vs 12,582).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1660 v3 better than Xeon E5-1680 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1680 v2 is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1660 v3 pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1680 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1660 v3 comes in $643 cheaper on MSRP at $1,080 MSRP versus $1,723 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1680 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 61.9% better value on MSRP (11.7 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), 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 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon E5-1680 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1660 v3

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,582 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-1680 v2

The Xeon E5-1680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 12,396 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-1660 v3 and Xeon E5-1680 v2 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1680 v2 (base: 3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 12,582 against the Xeon E5-1680 v2's 12,396 — a 1.5% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	12,582+2%	12,396
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,579
Geekbench 6 Single	—	750
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,500

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	256 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-1660 v3) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E5-1680 v2). Primary use case: Xeon E5-1680 v2 targets Server/Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E5-1680 v2 rivals Core i7-4960X.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Integrated GPU	—	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Server/Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 was priced at $1080, while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 came in at $1723. On launch pricing ($1080 vs $1723), Xeon E5-1660 v3 was $643 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1660 v3 delivers 11.7 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — making the Xeon E5-1660 v3 the 47.3% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-1680 v2
MSRP	$1080-37%	$1723
Performance per Dollar	11.7+62%	7.2
Release Date	2014	2013

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