CPU
GPU
Xeon E7540
Xeon E5-2660 v2
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 E7540 is positioned at rank 986 and the Xeon E5-2660 v2 is on rank 931, so the Xeon E5-2660 v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E7540
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2660 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E7540 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($146) | ✅ More affordable ($129) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E7540 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+13%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($146) | ✅ More affordable ($129) |
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 E7540 and Xeon E5-2660 v2
Xeon E7540
The Xeon E7540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.27 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 10,376 points. Launch price was $800.
Xeon E5-2660 v2
The Xeon E5-2660 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,353 points. Launch price was $850.
Processing Power
The Xeon E7540 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.27 GHz on the Xeon E7540 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v2 — a 27.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2660 v2 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2660 v2 is built on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7540 scores 10,376 against the Xeon E5-2660 v2's 10,353 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E7540. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon E7540 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v2.
| Feature | Xeon E7540 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 20+67% |
| Boost Clock | 2.27 GHz | 3 GHz+32% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.2 GHz+10% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB L3 Cache | 25 MB (total)+39% |
| L2 Cache | — | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | — | Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) |
| PassMark | 10,376 | 10,353 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E7540 uses the LGA1567 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2660 v2 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 2 TB — 199% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 32 (Xeon E7540) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2660 v2) — the Xeon E5-2660 v2 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Xeon E7540 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1567 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2 TB+167% | 768 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 32 | 40+25% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E7540) / not specified (Xeon E5-2660 v2). Primary use case: Xeon E7540 targets Server.
| Feature | Xeon E7540 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Server | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E7540 launched at $1980 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 debuted at $1393. At current prices ($146 vs $129), the Xeon E5-2660 v2 is $17 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E7540 delivers 71.1 pts/$ vs 80.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2660 v2 — making the Xeon E5-2660 v2 the 12.1% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E7540 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1980 | $1393-30% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $146 | $129-12% |
| Performance per Dollar | 71.1 | 80.3+13% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2013 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon E7540 and Xeon E5-2660 v2
