Xeon X5660 vs i9-7900X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i9-7900X
2017
10 cores / 20 threads, 140 Watt
13.24
+249%
Xeon X5660
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 95 Watt
3.79

Core i9-7900X outperforms Xeon X5660 by a whopping 249% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking5691480
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.963.05
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesCore i9 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency8.963.78
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
Release date26 June 2017 (7 years ago)16 March 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$33

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon X5660 has 3% better value for money than i9-7900X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores10 (Deca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads2012
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier33no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache14 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data239 mm2
Maximum core temperature95 °C81 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)2
SocketSocket R4FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data+
PAEno data40 Bit
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB288 GB
Max memory channels43
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s32 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/Ano data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes44no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-7900X 13.24
+249%
Xeon X5660 3.79

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-7900X 21037
+250%
Xeon X5660 6015

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i9-7900X 1444
+213%
Xeon X5660 461

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i9-7900X 8857
+303%
Xeon X5660 2196

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 13.24 3.79
Recency 26 June 2017 16 March 2010
Physical cores 10 6
Threads 20 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 95 Watt

i9-7900X has a 249.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 years, 66.7% more physical cores and 66.7% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

Xeon X5660, on the other hand, has 47.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-7900X is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon X5660 in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-7900X is a desktop processor while Xeon X5660 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7900X and Xeon X5660, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-7900X
Core i9-7900X
Intel Xeon X5660
Xeon X5660

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-7900X or Xeon X5660, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.