Intel Xeon E5-2660 SR0KK compatible with Dell OptiPlex 790
Intel Xeon E5-2660 SR0KK compatible with Dell OptiPlex 790
Consider older, budget-friendly PC options that could adapt for this purpose.
You might consider a budget "X79" motherboard, though it can feel quite unstable. Another option is any system with an LGA 2011 V1 socket (the V1 is crucial in this case), as it will accommodate that chip. It's worth noting that HEDT-branded boards or systems can still be costly despite these specs.
I would only consider a 2011 E5 if you intended to install two on a dual socket board; otherwise, it wouldn't be a good investment.
The 2400 should work adequately. For improved gaming performance, consider a more recent system such as a 4xxx Intel processor or an early Ryzen, rather than a higher core count with low clock speeds.
Platform jumps would offer better overall performance compared to using a mediocre Xeon. As you mentioned, the 2400 remains solid for light gaming, especially if you're playing e-sports titles and similar games. It still delivers a strong 4c/4t CPU setup, which works well for the time. My experience shows it handled smoothly with a 1050 Ti in Battlefront II 2017, though it struggled with the upgraded 980 Ti version. That’s the typical take from someone who follows Intel HEDT. If you’re considering an X79 motherboard, overclocking is possible with 16xx v2 Xeons and the 3930K OC chips are reliable and affordable. The main drawback remains the motherboards themselves—especially those with higher-end chipsets—they often require significant upgrades to support them. I personally moved from an i5 2400 to an X5675 on an X58 Rampage board when the i5 couldn’t keep pace, but I still got a good deal on that CPU and board combo.