Xeon E5-2630 v3 vs Xeon E5-2660 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 E5-2630 v3 vs Xeon E5-2660 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 E5-2630 v3 vs Xeon E5-2660 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 E5-2630 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 85W instead of 95W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,270 vs 10,353).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Xeon E5-2660 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,393 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2630 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2630 v3 better than Xeon E5-2660 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2630 v3 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2660 v2 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2660 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 E5-2660 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% 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 E5-2630 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2660 v2 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2630 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,393 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2660 v2 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2660 v2 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2630 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2630 v3 vs Xeon E5-2660 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2630 v3

The Xeon E5-2630 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 10,270 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2660 v2

The Xeon E5-2660 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,353 points. Launch price was $850.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2630 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2630 v3 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v2 — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2630 v3 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2630 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2630 v3 scores 10,270 against the Xeon E5-2660 v2's 10,353 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-2660 v2. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2630 v3 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-2630 v3	Xeon E5-2660 v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+7%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+9%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	10,270	10,353

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 4.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-2630 v3	Xeon E5-2660 v2
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40