Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-2680 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 E5-2680 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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,582 vs 12,707).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 19.1 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $667 MSRP).
❌21.7% higher power demand at 140W vs 115W.

Xeon E5-2680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $413 less on MSRP ($667 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 63.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.1 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($667 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 115W instead of 140W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2680 v2 better than Xeon E5-1660 v3?

Yes. Xeon E5-2680 v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2680 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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 E5-2680 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2680 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2680 v2 comes in $413 cheaper on MSRP at $667 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 63.5% better value on MSRP (19.1 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), 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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-2680 v2

The Xeon E5-2680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,707 points. Launch price was $1,260.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2680 v2 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 12,582 against the Xeon E5-2680 v2's 12,707 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2680 v2. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-2680 v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	12,582	12,707

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-2680 v2
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 was priced at $1080, while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 came in at $667. On launch pricing ($1080 vs $667), Xeon E5-2680 v2 was $413 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1660 v3 delivers 11.7 pts/$ vs 19.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2680 v2 — making the Xeon E5-2680 v2 the 48.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon E5-2680 v2
MSRP	$1080	$667-38%
Performance per Dollar	11.7	19.1+63%
Release Date	2014	2013

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