Core i5-10400 vs Xeon D-2146NT

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-10400 vs Xeon D-2146NT FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-10400 vs Xeon D-2146NT: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-10400

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon D-2146NT needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Xeon D-2146NT.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon D-2146NT, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Xeon D-2146NT mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon D-2146NT

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,736 vs 11,988).
❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400 better than Xeon D-2146NT?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon D-2146NT makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-10400 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-10400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $182 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (65.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-10400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400 vs Xeon D-2146NT Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-10400

The Core i5-10400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 11,988 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon D-2146NT

The Xeon D-2146NT is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2518. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,736 points. Launch price was $641.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon D-2146NT offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon D-2146NT has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon D-2146NT — a 35.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-10400 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon D-2146NT uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400 scores 11,988 against the Xeon D-2146NT's 11,736 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i5-10400. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400 vs 11 MB on the Xeon D-2146NT.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Xeon D-2146NT
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+43%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+26%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+9%	11 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+3100%	8 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	11,988+2%	11,736
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,313	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon D-2146NT uses FCBGA2518 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Xeon D-2146NT
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2518
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400) / not specified (Xeon D-2146NT). The Core i5-10400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon D-2146NT requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400 rivals Ryzen 5 3600.