Xeon X5660 vs FX-8350
Xeon X5660
FX-8350
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 X5660 is positioned at rank 990 and the FX-8350 is on rank 598, so the FX-8350 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5660
Performance Per Dollar FX-8350
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5660 | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($130) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5660 | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1209%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($130) |
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 X5660 and FX-8350
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.
FX-8350
The FX-8350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,936 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5660 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the FX-8350 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-8350 — a 27% clock advantage for the FX-8350 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Xeon X5660 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-8350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5660 scores 5,979 against the FX-8350's 5,936 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon X5660.
| Feature | Xeon X5660 | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 4.2 GHz+31% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 4 GHz+43% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 8192 kB+3100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Vishera (2012−2015) |
| PassMark | 5,979 | 5,936 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5660 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-8350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon X5660 | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| RAM Channels | 3 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660) / not specified (FX-8350). Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon X5660 | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Workstation | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon X5660 launched at $1219 MSRP, while the FX-8350 debuted at $199. At current prices ($10 vs $130), the Xeon X5660 is $120 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon X5660 delivers 597.9 pts/$ vs 45.7 pts/$ for the FX-8350 — making the Xeon X5660 the 171.6% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon X5660 | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1219 | $199-84% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-92% | $130 |
| Performance per Dollar | 597.9+1208% | 45.7 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2012 |
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