Xeon E5-1660 v4 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 v4 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 v4 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 v4

2016

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,341 vs 13,377).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Xeon E5-2690 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 140W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2690 v2 better than Xeon E5-1660 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1660 v4 is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 v2 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2690 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 E5-2690 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% 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 E5-2690 v2 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2690 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-1660 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1660 v4 vs Xeon E5-2690 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1660 v4

The Xeon E5-1660 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 13,341 points. Launch price was $1,113.

Xeon E5-2690 v2

The Xeon E5-2690 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 3 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): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 13,377 points. Launch price was $2,697.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1660 v4 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v4 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v2 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 v4 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 v4 uses the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 v4 scores 13,341 against the Xeon E5-2690 v2's 13,377 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v2. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v4 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660 v4	Xeon E5-2690 v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+7%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-EP (2016)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	13,341	13,377