Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon W-2133

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 W-2133 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 W-2133: 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: +10.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+142.4% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8.3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,582 vs 12,615).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 20.4 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon W-2133

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $463 less on MSRP ($617 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 75.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.4 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($617 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2133 better than Xeon E5-1660 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1660 v3 is ahead with a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-2133 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1660 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 142.4% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8.3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-2133 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon W-2133 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-2133 comes in $463 cheaper on MSRP at $617 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 75.5% better value on MSRP (20.4 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), 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 W-2133 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs Xeon W-2133 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 W-2133

The Xeon W-2133 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,615 points. Launch price was $617.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-2133 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon W-2133 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W-2133 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-2133 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 12,582 against the Xeon W-2133's 12,615 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon W-2133. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2133.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon W-2133
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+142%	8.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	12,582	12,615
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,292
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,647

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2133 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon W-2133
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	512 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	48

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-1660 v3) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-2133). Primary use case: Xeon W-2133 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon W-2133 rivals Ryzen Threadripper 1900X.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon W-2133
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 was priced at $1080, while the Xeon W-2133 came in at $617. On launch pricing ($1080 vs $617), Xeon W-2133 was $463 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1660 v3 delivers 11.7 pts/$ vs 20.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2133 — making the Xeon W-2133 the 54.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v3	Xeon W-2133
MSRP	$1080	$617-43%
Performance per Dollar	11.7	20.4+74%
Release Date	2014	2017

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