Core i5-10400 vs Xeon W-10855M

Intel

Core i5-10400

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
Intel

Xeon W-10855M

6 Cores12 Thrd1.5 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2020
Similar parts
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Core i5-10400 vs Xeon W-10855M Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 W-10855M 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 W-10855M: 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

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon W-10855M needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Xeon W-10855M.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-10855M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (11,988 vs 12,249).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 65.9 vs 103.8 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $118 MSRP).
  • 4233.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 1.5W.

Xeon W-10855M

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $64 less on MSRP ($118 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
  • Delivers 57.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 103.8 vs 65.9 PassMark/$ ($118 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
  • Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • 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 Xeon W-10855M better than Core i5-10400?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-10855M 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, Xeon W-10855M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.0% 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, Xeon W-10855M is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon W-10855M is the better buy right now. Xeon W-10855M comes in $64 cheaper on MSRP at $118 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 57.6% better value on MSRP (103.8 vs 65.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon W-10855M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400 vs Xeon W-10855M Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon W-10855M

The Xeon W-10855M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,249 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400 and Xeon W-10855M share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400 versus 4.9 GHz on the Xeon W-10855M — a 13% clock advantage for the Xeon W-10855M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-10400 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-10855M uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400 scores 11,988 against the Xeon W-10855M's 12,249 — a 2.2% lead for the Xeon W-10855M. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400 vs 12 MB on the Xeon W-10855M.

FeatureCore i5-10400Xeon W-10855M
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.9 GHz+14%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+4%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
12 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+16967%
1.5 MB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark
11,988
12,249+2%
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 W-10855M uses BGA1440 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10400Xeon W-10855M
Socket
LGA1200
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
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 W-10855M). The Core i5-10400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon W-10855M requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400 rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i5-10400Xeon W-10855M
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400 was priced at $182, while the Xeon W-10855M came in at $118. On launch pricing ($182 vs $118), Xeon W-10855M was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400 delivers 65.9 pts/$ vs 103.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-10855M — making the Xeon W-10855M the 44.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10400Xeon W-10855M
MSRP
$182
$118-35%
Performance per Dollar
65.9
103.8+58%
Release Date
2020
2020

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