Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear and consistent pattern across every Cinebench iteration: the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with no victories recorded for the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4. The margin is remarkably uniform, hovering around 11% in every workload tested.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E5-1660 v3 scores 1074 against 966 for the E5-1650 v4, a delta of 11.2%. The single-core result in the same test shows 151 versus 136, a nearly identical 11% advantage. This consistency suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore test shows 4475 for the E5-1660 v3 versus 4028 for the E5-1650 v4, again an 11.1% lead. The single-core result is 631 versus 568, also 11.1%. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the multicore scores are 10656 versus 9592, and single-core scores are 1504 versus 1354, both reflecting the same 11.1% delta.

The average benchmark score reinforces this picture. The E5-1660 v3 posts an average of 3082 across all recorded benchmarks, placing it at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs. The E5-1650 v4 averages 2978, also at the 52nd percentile. Despite the identical percentile rank, the raw average difference is 104 points in favor of the E5-1660 v3.

The nearest rivals for the E5-1660 v3 provide context for its standing. The Intel Core i7-6850K scores 3079, a delta of 0.1% behind. The Intel Core i7-8700B scores 3086, a delta of 0.1% ahead. The Intel Xeon W-2133 scores 3087, a delta of 0.2% ahead, and the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X scores 3068, a delta of 0.4% behind. The E5-1660 v3 sits squarely in a tight cluster of comparable performers.

For the E5-1650 v4, its nearest rivals tell a similar story of close competition. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U scores 2988, a delta of 0.3% ahead. The Intel Xeon E-2334 also scores 2988, 0.3% ahead. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U scores 2965, a delta of 0.5% behind, and the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL scores 2956, a delta of 0.8% behind. The E5-1650 v4 is positioned slightly lower in this cluster, but the differences are small.

The data indicates that the E5-1660 v3 holds a decisive edge in every measured workload. The 11% advantage is not marginal; it is a consistent, repeatable outcome across three generations of Cinebench tests. The E5-1650 v4, despite its higher clock speeds, cannot overcome the core count deficit in multicore workloads, and it also falls behind in single-core tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different microarchitecture generations, which explains much of their performance divergence. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-EP codename, built on a 22 nm process node. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-EP, built on a 14 nm process node. The smaller process node for the E5-1650 v4 allows for a more compact die, but the E5-1660 v3 compensates with a different core configuration.

Core counts differ substantially. The E5-1660 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the E5-1650 v4 has 6 cores and 12 threads. This 2-core advantage for the E5-1660 v3 directly contributes to its multicore wins, as the benchmark results confirm. The E5-1650 v4 counters with higher clock speeds: a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to 3.00 GHz and 3.50 GHz for the E5-1660 v3. The 0.60 GHz base clock advantage and 0.50 GHz boost clock advantage for the E5-1650 v4 are notable, but they do not translate into benchmark victories.

Cache configurations also differ. The E5-1660 v3 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E5-1650 v4 has 15 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The larger L3 cache on the E5-1660 v3, combined with its additional cores, provides a more robust memory hierarchy for demanding workloads. The E5-1650 v4, with fewer cores and less L3 cache, relies more heavily on its higher clock speeds.

The transistor count and die size reveal further differences. The E5-1660 v3 integrates 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The E5-1650 v4 integrates 3,400 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The higher transistor count on a smaller die for the E5-1650 v4 reflects the denser 14 nm process, but the benchmark data shows that this architectural refinement does not overcome the E5-1660 v3's core and cache advantages.

Both processors share several features. They both use DDR4 memory with a quad-channel memory bus, and both support ECC memory. The E5-1660 v3 offers a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the E5-1650 v4 offers 76.8 GB/s, a difference of 8.5 GB/s in favor of the newer part. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU. Neither processor includes integrated graphics, and both use the Intel Socket 2011-3.

The multiplier is unlocked on the E5-1660 v3, while the E5-1650 v4 is locked. This difference is relevant for users who intend to overclock, though the benchmark data does not directly measure overclocked performance. The production status for both is end-of-life, and both are discontinued products.

Release dates differ by roughly two years. The E5-1660 v3 was released in September 2014, while the E5-1650 v4 was released in June 2016. The market segments also differ: the E5-1660 v3 is classified as Server/Workstation, while the E5-1650 v4 is classified as Desktop. The E5-1650 v4 has a launch MSRP of $621, a single stated price point in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 has 15 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 10656 in Cinebench R23 multicore, compared to 9592 for the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4, a delta of 11.1%.

Q: Are both processors compatible with the same socket?

A: Yes, both processors use the Intel Socket 2011-3.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 wins 6 out of 6 head-to-head comparisons, with no wins for the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4. Every Cinebench test, from R15 through R23, shows the E5-1660 v3 ahead by approximately 11%. This consistency across both single-core and multicore workloads indicates a fundamental performance advantage that the E5-1650 v4 cannot overcome.

Users who prioritize raw compute throughput should select the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with 20 MB of L3 cache, deliver higher scores in every recorded benchmark. The E5-1650 v4's higher clock speeds and newer 14 nm process do not compensate for its 6-core, 12-thread configuration and 15 MB of L3 cache. The E5-1660 v3 also offers an unlocked multiplier, which may appeal to users who plan to overclock.

The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 does hold advantages in specific areas. Its memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s exceeds the E5-1660 v3's 68.3 GB/s. Its smaller die size of 246 mm², despite a higher transistor count of 3,400 million, reflects a more advanced manufacturing process. Its higher base and boost clocks, 3.60 GHz and 4.00 GHz respectively, are also notable. However, these advantages do not translate into benchmark wins.

For users who require maximum performance in the recorded Cinebench workloads, the choice is clear: the E5-1660 v3 is the superior processor. The data shows a consistent 11% lead across all tests, and the average benchmark score of 3082 versus 2978 confirms the overall trend. The E5-1650 v4 remains a viable option for those who value its specific features, such as higher memory bandwidth or the Desktop market segment classification, but the benchmark results favor the E5-1660 v3 without exception.

The percentile rankings do not differentiate the two: both sit at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs. This parity in percentile, despite the raw score difference, reflects the tight competitive landscape around these processors. The nearest rivals for both parts are clustered within 1% of their average scores, indicating that neither chip is an outlier in its performance class.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 | Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Architecture | Haswell | Broadwell |

| Codename | Haswell-EP | Broadwell-EP |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | 3,400 million |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 246 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 15 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | September 2014 | June 2016 |

| Launch MSRP | Not provided | $621 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR20N | SR2P7 |

The two processors share identical specifications in several areas: both use DDR4 memory with a quad-channel bus, both support ECC memory, both have the same PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 40 lanes from CPU), both lack integrated graphics, and both use the Intel Socket 2011-3. The L1 and L2 cache sizes are also identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively. The TDP for both is 140 watts, and both are end-of-life products.