Xeon E5-2650L vs Xeon X5660

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 E5-2650L vs Xeon X5660 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 E5-2650L vs Xeon X5660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E5-2650L

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $471 less on MSRP ($748 MSRP vs $1,219 MSRP).
✅Delivers 65.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 8.1 vs 4.9 PassMark/$ ($748 MSRP vs $1,219 MSRP).
✅Draws 70W instead of 95W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon X5660

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2650L across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,979 vs 6,055).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.9 vs 8.1 PassMark/$ ($1,219 MSRP vs $748 MSRP).
❌35.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 70W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2650L better than Xeon X5660?

Yes. Xeon E5-2650L is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2650L is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.2% more average FPS across 48 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650L is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2650L is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2650L comes in $471 cheaper on MSRP at $748 MSRP versus $1,219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 65.0% better value on MSRP (8.1 vs 4.9 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2650L makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010), 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 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 E5-2650L vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2650L

The Xeon E5-2650L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 70 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,055 points. Launch price was $142.

Xeon X5660

The Xeon X5660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,979 points. Launch price was $33.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2650L packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon X5660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2650L has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2650L versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Xeon X5660 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2650L uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon X5660 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2650L scores 6,055 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2650L. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2650L vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660.

Feature	Xeon E5-2650L	Xeon X5660
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz+39%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.8 GHz+56%
L3 Cache	20480 kB (total)+67%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,055+1%	5,979

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2650L uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon X5660 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2650L	Xeon X5660
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2650L) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660). Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.

Feature	Xeon E5-2650L	Xeon X5660
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2650L was priced at $748, while the Xeon X5660 came in at $1219. On launch pricing ($748 vs $1219), Xeon E5-2650L was $471 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2650L delivers 8.1 pts/$ vs 4.9 pts/$ for the Xeon X5660 — making the Xeon E5-2650L the 49.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2650L	Xeon X5660
MSRP	$748-39%	$1219
Performance per Dollar	8.1+65%	4.9
Release Date	2012	2010

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