Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2618L v4

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 E5-2618L v4 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 E5-2618L v4: 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

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 16.0 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $779 MSRP).
❌86.7% higher power demand at 140W vs 75W.

Xeon E5-2618L v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $301 less on MSRP ($779 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.0 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($779 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 75W instead of 140W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,429 vs 12,582).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1660 v3 better than Xeon E5-2618L v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% 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 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.2% 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 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% 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 still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2618L v4 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-1660 v3 comes in 38.6% more expensive on MSRP at $1,080 MSRP versus $779 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2618L v4 is also 37.0% better value on MSRP (16.0 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2618L v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014) and 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2618L v4 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 E5-2618L v4

The Xeon E5-2618L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 75 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 12,429 points. Launch price was $779.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2618L v4 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2618L v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 versus 2.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2618L v4 — a 45.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 v3. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2618L v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 12,582 against the Xeon E5-2618L v4's 12,429 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs 25 MB on the Xeon E5-2618L v4.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-2618L v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+59%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	25 MB+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+10140%	2.5 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	12,582+1%	12,429

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 was priced at $1080, while the Xeon E5-2618L v4 came in at $779. On launch pricing ($1080 vs $779), Xeon E5-2618L v4 was $301 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1660 v3 delivers 11.7 pts/$ vs 16.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2618L v4 — making the Xeon E5-2618L v4 the 31.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-2618L v4
MSRP	$1080	$779-28%
Performance per Dollar	11.7	16.0+37%
Release Date	2014	2016

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