Xeon Gold 6348H vs Xeon X5660

Intel

Xeon Gold 6348H

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon X5660

6 Cores12 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010
Similar parts
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Xeon Gold 6348H vs Xeon X5660 Performance Spectrum

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.

Xeon Gold 6348H vs Xeon X5660 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 Gold 6348H vs Xeon X5660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon Gold 6348H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +17.6% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,967 vs 5,979).
  • 73.7% higher power demand at 165W vs 95W.

Xeon X5660

2010

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 95W instead of 165W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6348H across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 33 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $1,219 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6348H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X5660 better than Xeon Gold 6348H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6348H is ahead with a 17.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X5660 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6348H also has the bigger cache pool with 175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X5660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon X5660 is the better buy right now. Xeon X5660 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,219 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6348H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6348H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2010) and 175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Gold 6348H vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon Gold 6348H

The Xeon Gold 6348H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Cooper Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 RDIMM. Passmark benchmark score: 5,967 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon X5660

The Xeon X5660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,979 points. Launch price was $33.

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6348H packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon X5660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon Gold 6348H has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6348H versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 — a 27% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6348H (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6348H uses the Cooper Lake-SP (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5660 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6348H scores 5,967 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon X5660. L3 cache: 33 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6348H vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660.

FeatureXeon Gold 6348HXeon X5660
Cores / Threads
24 / 48+300%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz+31%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
2.8 GHz+22%
L3 Cache
33 MB (total)+175%
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)+300%
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Cooper Lake-SP (2021)
Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark
5,967
5,979
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6348H uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon X5660 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon Gold 6348HXeon X5660
Socket
LGA4189
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+100%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
RAM Channels
3
ECC Support
Yes
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon Gold 6348H) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660). Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.

FeatureXeon Gold 6348HXeon X5660
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Workstation