Xeon E5-1660 vs Xeon E5-2428L

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 vs Xeon E5-2428L 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 vs Xeon E5-2428L: 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

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,324 vs 8,500).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $692 MSRP).
❌116.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 60W.

Xeon E5-2428L

2012

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $388 less on MSRP ($692 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 59.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.3 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($692 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 130W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2428L better than Xeon E5-1660?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1660 is ahead with a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2428L pulls ahead with 2.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2428L is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2428L is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2428L comes in $388 cheaper on MSRP at $692 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 59.4% better value on MSRP (12.3 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2428L makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1660 vs Xeon E5-2428L Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

Xeon E5-2428L

The Xeon E5-2428L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,500 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-1660 and Xeon E5-2428L share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 versus 2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2428L — a 64.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2428L uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 scores 8,324 against the Xeon E5-2428L's 8,500 — a 2.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2428L. Both processors carry 15360 kB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660	Xeon E5-2428L
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+95%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+83%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	15360 kB (total)	15360 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	8,324	8,500+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1660 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2428L uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660	Xeon E5-2428L
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1660 was priced at $1080, while the Xeon E5-2428L came in at $692. On launch pricing ($1080 vs $692), Xeon E5-2428L was $388 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1660 delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 12.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2428L — making the Xeon E5-2428L the 45.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660	Xeon E5-2428L
MSRP	$1080	$692-36%
Performance per Dollar	7.7	12.3+60%
Release Date	2012	2012

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