Xeon E5-2470 vs Xeon E5-1660
Xeon E5-2470
Xeon E5-1660
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 E5-2470 is positioned at rank 973 and the Xeon E5-1660 is on rank 924, so the Xeon E5-1660 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2470
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1660
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2470 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($125) | ✅ More affordable ($29) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2470 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+331%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($125) | ✅ More affordable ($29) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2470 and Xeon E5-1660
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2470 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2470 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2470 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 22.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2470 uses the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2470 scores 8,329 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2470. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2470 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2470 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.9 GHz+26% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.3 GHz+43% |
| L3 Cache | 20480 kB (total)+33% | 15360 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) | Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 8,329 | 8,324 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2470 uses the LGA1356 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2470 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1356 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2470 launched at $1440 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-1660 debuted at $1080. At current prices ($125 vs $29), the Xeon E5-1660 is $96 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2470 delivers 66.6 pts/$ vs 287.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 — making the Xeon E5-1660 the 124.6% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2470 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1440 | $1080-25% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $125 | $29-77% |
| Performance per Dollar | 66.6 | 287.0+331% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
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