Xeon X5660 vs Core i3-8100

Xeon X5660

6 Cores12 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010

Core i3-8100

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon X5660

6 / 12

5,979

0.0%

6,073

+1.6%

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 X5660 is positioned at rank 990 and the Core i3-8100 is on rank 410, so the Core i3-8100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5660

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

42413%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

8008%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

7115%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

5496%

#537

Xeon Platinum 8180

MSRP: $10009|Avg: $2363

78%

#538

Xeon Platinum 8280M

MSRP: $10009|Avg: $6223

77%

#990

Xeon X5660

MSRP: $1219|Avg: $10

100%

#991

Xeon E5-2667

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $31

98%

#992

Xeon E5-2690

MSRP: $2057|Avg: $150

97%

#993

Xeon E3-1565L v5

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $120

96%

#994

Xeon L5640

MSRP: $996|Avg: N/A

96%

#995

Xeon L5335

MSRP: $380|Avg: $18

93%

#996

Xeon E5-4627 v2

MSRP: $2061|Avg: $70

93%

#997

Xeon E-2144G

MSRP: $2090|Avg: $389

92%

#998

Xeon X5675

MSRP: $1440|Avg: $22

91%

#999

Xeon Phi 7210

MSRP: $1881|Avg: $150

79%

#1000

Xeon D-1567

MSRP: $2702|Avg: $230

79%

#1001

Xeon E-2126G

MSRP: $2702|Avg: $230

79%

#1004

Xeon D-1531

MSRP: $2057|Avg: $250

76%

#1005

Xeon 5130

MSRP: $316|Avg: $10

76%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8100

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

6005%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

5674%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

4120%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1241%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

983%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

860%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

493%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

486%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

443%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

443%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

438%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

426%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

420%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

418%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

414%

#338

Core i9-10980XE

MSRP: $979|Avg: $620

100%

#339

Core i5-8500T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $149

100%

#340

Core i9-9900KF

MSRP: $488|Avg: $350

99%

#341

Ryzen Embedded V2748

MSRP: $309|Avg: $359

99%

#342

Core i3-9350K

MSRP: $184|Avg: $150

98%

#410

Core i3-8100

MSRP: $117|Avg: $45

100%

#419

Celeron G3900

MSRP: $42|Avg: $39

99%

#420

Celeron G1840

MSRP: $35|Avg: $30

98%

#421

Core i5-8400

MSRP: $182|Avg: $95

98%

#423

Phenom II X3 705e

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $69

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-8100 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon X5660	Core i3-8100
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon X5660 (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon X5660	Core i3-8100
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+343%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon X5660 Benchmark Check

Core i3-8100 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon X5660 and Core i3-8100

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.

Core i3-8100

The Core i3-8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,073 points. Launch price was $117.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon X5660 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i3-8100 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon X5660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-8100 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon X5660 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-8100 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5660 scores 5,979 against the Core i3-8100's 6,073 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i3-8100. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-8100.

Feature	Xeon X5660	Core i3-8100
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+100%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	5,979	6,073+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,200
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon X5660 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-8100 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5660 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8100 — the Core i3-8100 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon X5660) vs 2 (Core i3-8100). Chipset compatibility: Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5660) and B360,H310,H370,Z370,Z390 (Core i3-8100).

Feature	Xeon X5660	Core i3-8100
Socket	LGA1366	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	3+50%	2
ECC Support	✅	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100). The Core i3-8100 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon X5660 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation, Core i3-8100 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.

Feature	Xeon X5660	Core i3-8100
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Workstation	Budget Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon X5660 launched at $1219 MSRP, while the Core i3-8100 debuted at $117. At current prices ($10 vs $45), the Xeon X5660 is $35 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon X5660 delivers 597.9 pts/$ vs 135.0 pts/$ for the Core i3-8100 — making the Xeon X5660 the 126.3% better value option.