Xeon E5-2660 v4 vs Xeon w3-2423

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 w3-2423 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 w3-2423: 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: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+133.3% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Draws 105W instead of 120W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,650 vs 15,797).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Xeon w3-2423 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w3-2423

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $359 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2660 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w3-2423 better than Xeon E5-2660 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2660 v4 is ahead with a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon w3-2423 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2660 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 133.3% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 15 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon w3-2423 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon w3-2423 is the better buy right now. Xeon w3-2423 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $359 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2660 v4 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 w3-2423 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2016), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 14/28. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon E5-2660 v4 vs Xeon w3-2423 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 w3-2423

The Xeon w3-2423 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 15,797 points. Launch price was $359.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2660 v4 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon w3-2423 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v4 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v4 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon w3-2423 — a 27% clock advantage for the Xeon w3-2423 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon w3-2423 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2660 v4 scores 15,650 against the Xeon w3-2423's 15,797 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon w3-2423. L3 cache: 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2660 v4 vs 15 MB on the Xeon w3-2423.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v4	Xeon w3-2423
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+133%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.2 GHz+31%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.1 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	35 MB+133%	15 MB
L2 Cache	3.5 MB+75%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	15,650	15,797

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon w3-2423 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.