Xeon E5-2660 vs Core i7-4790K
Xeon E5-2660
Core i7-4790K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E5-2660 is positioned at rank 963 and the Core i7-4790K is on rank 726, so the Core i7-4790K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2660
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4790K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2660 | Core i7-4790K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($65) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($93) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Devil's Canyon / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2660 | Core i7-4790K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+43%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($65) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($93) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2660 and Core i7-4790K
Xeon E5-2660
The Xeon E5-2660 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,067 points. Launch price was $85.
Core i7-4790K
The Core i7-4790K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Devil's Canyon architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 88 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,063 points. Launch price was $339.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2660 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-4790K offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790K (base: 2.2 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2660 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-4790K uses Devil's Canyon (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2660 scores 8,067 against the Core i7-4790K's 8,063 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5-2660. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790K.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2660 | Core i7-4790K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+100% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 4.4 GHz+47% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 4 GHz+82% |
| L3 Cache | 20480 kB (total)+150% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Devil's Canyon |
| PassMark | 8,067 | 8,063 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2660 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-4790K uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2660 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2660) vs 2 (Core i7-4790K). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2660) vs 16 (Core i7-4790K) — the Xeon E5-2660 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2660) and Intel 8 series,Intel 9 series (Core i7-4790K).
| Feature | Xeon E5-2660 | Core i7-4790K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 384 GB+1100% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Advanced Features
The Core i7-4790K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E5-2660 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2660 | Core i7-4790K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 4600 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2660 launched at $1329 MSRP, while the Core i7-4790K debuted at $350. At current prices ($65 vs $93), the Xeon E5-2660 is $28 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2660 delivers 124.1 pts/$ vs 86.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-4790K — making the Xeon E5-2660 the 35.5% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2660 | Core i7-4790K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1329 | $350-74% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65-30% | $93 |
| Performance per Dollar | 124.1+43% | 86.7 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2014 |
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