Xeon E5-1660 vs Xeon E5-2470

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 E5-2470 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 E5-2470: 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

✅Costs $360 less on MSRP ($1,080 MSRP vs $1,440 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.7 vs 5.8 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $1,440 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,324 vs 8,329).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 20 MB).
❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.

Xeon E5-2470

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.8 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($1,440 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2470 better than Xeon E5-1660?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1660 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 E5-2470 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2470 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2470 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2470 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2470 comes in 33.3% more expensive on MSRP at $1,440 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1660 is also 33.3% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 5.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E5-2470 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 E5-2470 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 E5-2470

The Xeon E5-2470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,329 points. Launch price was $1,480.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1660 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2470 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2470 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2470 — a 22.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2470 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 scores 8,324 against the Xeon E5-2470's 8,329 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2470. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2470.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660	Xeon E5-2470
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+26%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+43%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	15360 kB (total)	20480 kB (total)+33%
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	8,329

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1660 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2470 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660	Xeon E5-2470
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 E5-2470 came in at $1440. On launch pricing ($1080 vs $1440), Xeon E5-1660 was $360 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1660 delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 5.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2470 — making the Xeon E5-1660 the 28.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1660	Xeon E5-2470
MSRP	$1080-25%	$1440
Performance per Dollar	7.7+33%	5.8
Release Date	2012	2012

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