Xeon E5-2666 V3
CPU·Entry

Xeon E5-2666 V3

Intel

PassMark

14,044

2015-01-01
135 Watt
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)

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.

Overview

The Xeon E5-2666 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 14,044 points. Launch price was $800.

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Xeon E5-2666 V3 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

1080p
low261 FPS
medium228 FPS
high202 FPS
ultra167 FPS
1440p
low182 FPS
medium169 FPS
high152 FPS
ultra126 FPS
4k
low111 FPS
medium99 FPS
high81 FPS
ultra64 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low330 FPS
medium296 FPS
high258 FPS
ultra213 FPS
1440p
low284 FPS
medium260 FPS
high227 FPS
ultra185 FPS
4k
low184 FPS
medium168 FPS
high146 FPS
ultra116 FPS
Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra59 FPS
Deadlock

Deadlock

1080p
low184 FPS
medium155 FPS
high135 FPS
ultra121 FPS
1440p
low174 FPS
medium147 FPS
high129 FPS
ultra116 FPS
4k
low107 FPS
medium88 FPS
high68 FPS
ultra62 FPS
Delta Force

Delta Force

1080p
low345 FPS
medium308 FPS
high275 FPS
ultra221 FPS
1440p
low254 FPS
medium224 FPS
high207 FPS
ultra178 FPS
4k
low157 FPS
medium128 FPS
high114 FPS
ultra100 FPS
Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy

1080p
low167 FPS
medium156 FPS
high128 FPS
ultra89 FPS
1440p
low126 FPS
medium115 FPS
high96 FPS
ultra72 FPS
4k
low85 FPS
medium77 FPS
high61 FPS
ultra54 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low351 FPS
medium351 FPS
high351 FPS
ultra351 FPS
1440p
low351 FPS
medium351 FPS
high351 FPS
ultra342 FPS
4k
low351 FPS
medium319 FPS
high290 FPS
ultra240 FPS
Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals

1080p
low351 FPS
medium351 FPS
high278 FPS
ultra231 FPS
1440p
low258 FPS
medium212 FPS
high174 FPS
ultra154 FPS
4k
low166 FPS
medium136 FPS
high118 FPS
ultra109 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low163 FPS
medium141 FPS
high115 FPS
ultra94 FPS
1440p
low136 FPS
medium115 FPS
high91 FPS
ultra74 FPS
4k
low63 FPS
medium57 FPS
high44 FPS
ultra35 FPS
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Xeon E5-2666 V3 specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2666 V3 is a 10-core / 20-thread processor based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3.5 GHz from a base frequency of 2.9 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 25 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 256K (per core) of L2 cache and 64K (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 14,044, placing it in the Budget performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationXeon E5-2666 V3
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units10C / 20T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost3.5 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency2.9 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designHaswell-EP (2014−2015)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient22 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores25 MB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data256K (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache64K (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor356 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities2,600 million
64-bit SupportYes
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score14,044
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2666 V3 fits into the LGA2011-3 socket and supports PCIe 3.0. It supports DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel memory.

SpecificationXeon E5-2666 V3
TypeDesktop or Laptop processorserver
SocketMotherboard socket requiredLGA2011-3
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 3.0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers2
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Xeon E5-2666 V3 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 135 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationXeon E5-2666 V3
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload135 Watt
💰

Value Analysis

Performance ranking position: #1072 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationXeon E5-2666 V3
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$800
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#1072
Release DateLaunch date2015-01-01
Release Year2014
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

Typeserver
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$800
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date2015-01-01
Architecture CodenameHaswell-EP (2014−2015)
Performance Ranking Position1072

Technical Specifications

11 specs

Cores10
Threads20
Die Size356 mm2
L1 Cache64K (per core)
L2 Cache256K (per core)
L3 Cache25 MB (total)
Max Frequency3.5 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency2.9 GHz
Transistor Count2,600 million
Process Technology22 nm

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketLGA2011-3
PCIe GenerationPCIe 3.0
Power Consumption (TDP)135 Watt
Max Processors In Config2

Memory

1 spec

RAM TypesDDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel

Our Recommendation for Xeon E5-2666 V3

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

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