CPU
GPU
Xeon E5-1660
Xeon E5-2428L
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E5-1660 is positioned at rank 924 and the Xeon E5-2428L is on rank 800, so the Xeon E5-2428L offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1660
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2428L
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-1660 | Xeon E5-2428L |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($42) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-1660 | Xeon E5-2428L |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+42%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($42) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-1660 and Xeon E5-2428L
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.
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% |
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 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-1660 launched at $1080 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2428L debuted at $692. At current prices ($29 vs $42), the Xeon E5-1660 is $13 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1660 delivers 287.0 pts/$ vs 202.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2428L — making the Xeon E5-1660 the 34.6% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1660 | Xeon E5-2428L |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1080 | $692-36% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $29-31% | $42 |
| Performance per Dollar | 287.0+42% | 202.4 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon E5-1660 and Xeon E5-2428L
