Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2640 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 E5-2640 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 E5-2640 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

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,080 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2640 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌55.6% higher power demand at 140W vs 90W.

Xeon E5-2640 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 90W instead of 140W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,470 vs 12,582).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1660 v3 better than Xeon E5-2640 v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% 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 0.2% 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 0.9% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $1,080 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2640 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 E5-2640 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 E5-2640 v4

The Xeon E5-2640 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. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 90 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,470 points. Launch price was $939.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2640 v4 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2640 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 v4 — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 v3 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2640 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 12,582 against the Xeon E5-2640 v4's 12,470 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs 25 MB on the Xeon E5-2640 v4.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-2640 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+3%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+25%	2.4 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	12,470