Xeon E5-2660 v4 vs Xeon Gold 5217

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 v4 vs Xeon Gold 5217 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 v4 vs Xeon Gold 5217: 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 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+218.2% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 11 MB).
✅Draws 105W instead of 115W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 5217

2019

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,429 vs 15,650).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (11 MB vs 35 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2660 v4 better than Xeon Gold 5217?

Yes. Xeon E5-2660 v4 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2660 v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.3% 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 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 218.2% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 11 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2660 v4 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2660 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon Gold 5217 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2660 v4 vs Xeon Gold 5217 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2660 v4

The Xeon E5-2660 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 15,650 points. Launch price was $1,445.

Xeon Gold 5217

The Xeon Gold 5217 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 15,429 points. Launch price was $1,522.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2660 v4 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5217 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v4 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5217 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5217 (base: 2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5217 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2660 v4 scores 15,650 against the Xeon Gold 5217's 15,429 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2660 v4. L3 cache: 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2660 v4 vs 11 MB on the Xeon Gold 5217.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v4	Xeon Gold 5217
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	35 MB+218%	11 MB
L2 Cache	3.5 MB	8 MB+129%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	15,650+1%	15,429
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,041
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,232

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5217 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v4	Xeon Gold 5217
Socket	LGA2011	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2667
Max RAM Capacity	—	1024 GB
RAM Channels	—	6
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	48

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2660 v4) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Xeon Gold 5217). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5217 targets Server.