Xeon E5-2660 vs Xeon X7560

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 vs Xeon X7560 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 vs Xeon X7560: 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

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,067 vs 8,110).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,329 MSRP, while Xeon X7560 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon X7560

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2660 better than Xeon X7560?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2660 is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X7560 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon X7560 also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X7560 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2660 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2660 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon X7560 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2660 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2660 vs Xeon X7560 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon X7560

The Xeon X7560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.27 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-978, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, Speed-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 8,110 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-2660 and Xeon X7560 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 versus 2.67 GHz on the Xeon X7560 — a 11.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2660 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.27 GHz). The Xeon E5-2660 is built on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2660 scores 8,067 against the Xeon X7560's 8,110 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon X7560. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 vs 24 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon X7560.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660	Xeon X7560
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3 GHz+12%	2.67 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.27 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	20480 kB (total)	24 MB L3 Cache+20%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	—
PassMark	8,067	8,110

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2660 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X7560 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2660 versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X7560 — the Xeon E5-2660 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2660) and Nehalem-EX (Xeon X7560).

Feature	Xeon E5-2660	Xeon X7560
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1567
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	384 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2660) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X7560). Primary use case: Xeon X7560 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon X7560 rivals Core i7-980X.