Intel Core i7-5960X vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-5960X or Intel Core i7-5960X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-5960X features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2014 and belongs to the 5 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-5960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2 features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Xeon E5 series.
To use the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-5960X Name Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Xeon E5
5 Generation 4
Intel Core i 5000X Group Intel Xeon E5 v2
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-5960X has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-5960X is 3.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.5 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2 has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2 is 3.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.0 GHz.
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.0 GHz
Yes Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.0 GHz Frequency 3.7 GHz
16 Threads 12
3.2 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.8 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
8 CPU Cores 6
8x Cores 6x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-5960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2 does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 68.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 256.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 4
64.0 GB Max. Memory 256.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
68.2 GB/s Bandwidth 59.7 GB/s
DDR4-2133 Memory type DDR3-1866
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 130 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-5960X is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2 is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
Q3/2014 Release date Q3/2013
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Haswell E Architecture Ivy Bridge EP
22 nm Technology 22 nm
LGA 2011-3 Socket LGA 2011
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
829 $ Release price 570 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
20.0 MB L3-Cache 12.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
28928
28928
Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
18720
18720

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
13919
13919
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
12709
12709

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7843
7843
Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
5503
5503

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7640
7640
Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
3428
3428

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3944
3944
Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
2838
2838

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3773
3773
Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
3295
3295

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1360
1360
Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
1092
1092

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1154
1154
Intel Xeon E5-1660 v2
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
726
726