Intel Core i5-11500T vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11500T and Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 are both end-of-life desktop processors, but they represent very different design philosophies from Intel. The i5-11500T is a low-power, modern 14 nm Rocket Lake part with integrated graphics, while the Xeon E5-1660 v4 is a high-core-count, high-TDP Broadwell-EP workstation chip from an earlier era. Benchmark data shows a consistent, albeit narrow, advantage for the Xeon across every tested workload, yet the two chips are far closer in average performance than their architectural and generational gaps would suggest. The i5-11500T averages a 3288 benchmark score, while the Xeon E5-1660 v4 averages 3264, placing both at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs. This near-parity in overall standing, combined with distinct differences in platform features, makes the choice highly dependent on specific use cases rather than raw compute dominance.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous on raw performance: the Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1137 against the i5-11500T’s 1093, a 3.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar 3.7% edge (160 vs 154). Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon leads by 3.8% in multi-core (4739 vs 4558) and 3.9% in single-core (669 vs 643). The R23 results continue the pattern, with the Xeon ahead by 3.8% in both multi-core (11285 vs 10854) and single-core (1593 vs 1532). There is not a single test where the i5-11500T comes out ahead.

However, winning every benchmark does not translate into a dominant average score advantage. The Xeon’s average benchmark score of 3264 is actually 0.7% lower than the i5-11500T’s 3288, because the Geekbench results are included only for the i5-11500T. In that test, the i5-11500T scores 5774 multi-core and 1696 single-core, which are substantial numbers that bolster its aggregate standing. This means that while the Xeon wins the Cinebench suite, the i5-11500T compensates with a stronger showing in Geekbench, which is not available for the Xeon in this dataset.

The use-case split therefore hinges on where the scores matter most. For pure Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the Xeon E5-1660 v4 is the consistent winner, offering a 3.7% to 3.9% improvement across all six tests. For users who rely on Geekbench as a measure of general-purpose performance, the i5-11500T’s 5774 multi-core and 1696 single-core scores are the only data points available, and they are competitive with the Xeon’s Cinebench results. The i5-11500T also brings integrated UHD Graphics 750, a feature entirely absent from the Xeon, which has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the i5-11500T viable for systems without a discrete GPU, a scenario where the Xeon cannot operate without additional hardware.

The Verdict

From the data, the Xeon E5-1660 v4 is the pick for anyone prioritizing multi-threaded and single-threaded Cinebench performance. It leads in every measured category, and its 8 cores and 16 threads outnumber the i5-11500T’s 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature the i5-11500T lacks, and offers quad-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s versus the i5-11500T’s dual-channel 51.2 GB/s. For memory-sensitive workloads, this is a decisive advantage.

The i5-11500T, however, is the better choice for a different set of priorities. Its 35 W TDP is drastically lower than the Xeon’s 140 W, making it far easier to cool and more efficient in constrained environments. It also uses the Intel Socket 1200 platform, whereas the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, meaning the two are not interchangeable in the same motherboard. The i5-11500T includes integrated graphics, which is a critical feature for systems without a discrete GPU. Its Geekbench scores, while not directly comparable to the Xeon due to missing data, are strong enough to place it at the same 53rd percentile as the Xeon.

Ultimately, the verdict is a split decision. If the workload is Cinebench-based rendering and the platform can accommodate a 140 W CPU, the Xeon E5-1660 v4 is the data-backed winner. If the priorities are low power consumption, integrated graphics, and a more modern socket, the i5-11500T is the sensible choice, despite losing every direct benchmark comparison. The Xeon’s launch MSRP is $1113, while the i5-11500T has a launch MSRP of $192, but pricing is not a factor in the performance analysis.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are a masterclass in consistency. Every single Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, shows the Xeon E5-1660 v4 winning by a margin between 3.7% and 3.9%. The largest single-core difference is in R15, where the Xeon’s 160 beats the i5-11500T’s 154, a 3.7% gap. The largest multi-core difference is also in R15, with the Xeon at 1137 and the i5-11500T at 1093, a 3.9% lead. The R20 and R23 tests are nearly identical in their margins, with the Xeon winning multi-core by 3.8% in both (4739 vs 4558 and 11285 vs 10854) and single-core by 3.9% in R20 (669 vs 643) and 3.8% in R23 (1593 vs 1532).

These margins are narrow in absolute terms. The Xeon’s biggest win is just 431 points in R23 multi-core, which is a 3.8% improvement. This is not a generational leap; it is a consistent, modest edge that holds across all workloads. The i5-11500T, despite having two fewer cores and a much lower base clock of 1500 MHz versus the Xeon’s 3200 MHz, manages to stay within striking distance. Its boost clock of 3.90 GHz is actually higher than the Xeon’s 3.80 GHz, which helps close the single-core gap. The i5-11500T’s 12 MB of shared L3 cache is smaller than the Xeon’s 20 MB, but its per-core L1 and L2 caches are larger (80 KB and 511 KB per core versus 64 KB and 256 KB per core), which may contribute to its competitive performance.

The absence of Geekbench data for the Xeon is notable. The i5-11500T scores 5774 multi-core and 1696 single-core in Geekbench, which are its two highest benchmark scores. If the Xeon had comparable Geekbench results, the overall picture might shift, but as it stands, the Cinebench suite is the only direct comparison available. The i5-11500T’s average benchmark score of 3288 is higher than the Xeon’s 3264, solely because of the Geekbench inclusion. This means that in mixed workloads, the i5-11500T may actually have an edge, even though it loses every Cinebench test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins with a score of 11285, which is 3.8% higher than the Intel Core i5-11500T’s 10854.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-11500T have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes UHD Graphics 750. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-11500T uses dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors on the same socket?

A: No, the Intel Core i5-11500T uses Intel Socket 1200, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-11500T has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, which is slightly higher than the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4’s 3.80 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, it supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-11500T does not support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-11500T is based on Rocket Lake, with the codename Rocket Lake, and is part of the Core 11th Gen series. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 is based on Broadwell, with the codename Broadwell-EP, and belongs to the Xeon E5 line. Both are built on a 14 nm process node by Intel, but the die sizes differ: the i5-11500T has a die size of 276 mm², while the Xeon E5-1660 v4 has a smaller die size of 246 mm². The Xeon also has a transistor count of 3,400 million, a figure not provided for the i5-11500T.

The cache layouts are distinct. The i5-11500T has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 511 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 12 MB L3 cache. The Xeon E5-1660 v4 has smaller per-core caches at 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2, but a larger shared 20 MB L3 cache. This suggests the Xeon is designed for larger working sets, while the i5-11500T emphasizes faster per-core cache access.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The i5-11500T supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon E5-1660 v4 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon’s higher lane count is typical for workstation platforms, allowing for more expansion cards. The i5-11500T integrates UHD Graphics 750, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which the i5-11500T does not, and the Xeon uses a quad-channel memory bus versus the i5-11500T’s dual-channel bus.

Specification Differences

The most striking specification difference is TDP. The Intel Core i5-11500T has a TDP of 35 W, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 has a TDP of 140 W. This is a fourfold difference, indicating vastly different cooling and power requirements. The core counts also differ: the i5-11500T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon has 8 cores and 16 threads. The base clocks are 1500 MHz for the i5-11500T and 3200 MHz for the Xeon, a significant gap, but the boost clocks are closer at 3.90 GHz and 3.80 GHz, respectively.

Memory support shows the Xeon’s workstation pedigree. The Xeon supports ECC memory and a quad-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, whereas the i5-11500T supports non-ECC DDR4 over a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1200 for the i5-11500T and Intel Socket 2011-3 for the Xeon. The i5-11500T has integrated UHD Graphics 750, while the Xeon has none. The Xeon offers PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes, while the i5-11500T offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The release dates are also far apart, with the i5-11500T launching on 2021-03-15 and the Xeon on 2016-06-19. The part numbers are SRKNZ for the i5-11500T and SR2PK for the Xeon. The launch MSRP is $192 for the i5-11500T and $1113 for the Xeon. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.