Xeon E5-2660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2685 v3

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 E5-2660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2685 v3 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 E5-2660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2685 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2660 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $645 less on MSRP ($1,445 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 45.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.0 vs 6.2 PassMark/$ ($1,445 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 120W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).

Xeon E5-2685 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,944 vs 13,039).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.2 vs 9.0 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $1,445 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2660 v3 better than Xeon E5-2685 v3?

Yes. Xeon E5-2660 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 E5-2660 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2660 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2660 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2660 v3 comes in $645 cheaper on MSRP at $1,445 MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 45.7% better value on MSRP (9.0 vs 6.2 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2660 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 12/12 and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2660 v3 vs Xeon E5-2685 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2660 v3

The Xeon E5-2660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 13,039 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2685 v3

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,944 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2660 v3 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2685 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v3 versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2660 v3 scores 13,039 against the Xeon E5-2685 v3's 12,944 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2660 v3. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v3 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2685 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v3	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	12 / 12+20%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,039	12,944

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2660 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v3	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2660 v3) / not specified (Xeon E5-2685 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2660 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v3	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Server	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2660 v3 was priced at $1445, while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 came in at $2090. On launch pricing ($1445 vs $2090), Xeon E5-2660 v3 was $645 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2660 v3 delivers 9.0 pts/$ vs 6.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2685 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2660 v3 the 37.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v3	Xeon E5-2685 v3
MSRP	$1445-31%	$2090
Performance per Dollar	9.0+45%	6.2
Release Date	2014	2014

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