Core i5-10400F vs Xeon D-2799

Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
Intel

Xeon D-2799

20 Cores40 Thrd129 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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Core i5-10400F vs Xeon D-2799 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 i5-10400F vs Xeon D-2799 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 i5-10400F vs Xeon D-2799: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 65W instead of 129W, a 64W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon D-2799.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-2799 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 20,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon D-2799, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.
  • Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Xeon D-2799 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon D-2799

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 98.5% higher power demand at 129W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-2799 better than Core i5-10400F?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon D-2799 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-10400F 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 D-2799 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.8% 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 D-2799 is the stronger fit. You are getting 144.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon D-2799 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon D-2799 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon D-2799 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB), more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 40 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400F vs Xeon D-2799 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-10400F

The Core i5-10400F 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. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.

Intel

Xeon D-2799

The Xeon D-2799 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-D (2022−2023) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2579. Thermal design power (TDP): 129 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 33,792 points. Launch price was $1,972.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon D-2799 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon D-2799 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon D-2799 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon D-2799 uses Ice Lake-D (2022−2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Xeon D-2799's 33,792 — a 88.7% lead for the Xeon D-2799. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 20,000 (83.8% advantage for the Xeon D-2799). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,959, a 29.6% lead for the Xeon D-2799 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 1,895 (101.3% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon D-2799.

FeatureCore i5-10400FXeon D-2799
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
20 / 40+233%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+26%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+21%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
30 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+20380%
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
10 nm-29%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Ice Lake-D (2022−2023)
PassMark
13,029
33,792+159%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
20,000+144%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,454
1,959+35%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,783+205%
1,895
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon D-2799 uses FCBGA2579 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Xeon D-2799 — the Xeon D-2799 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon D-2799 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 4 (Xeon D-2799). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 32 (Xeon D-2799) — the Xeon D-2799 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and Ice Lake-D (Xeon D-2799).

FeatureCore i5-10400FXeon D-2799
Socket
LGA1200
FCBGA2579
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
1024 GB+700%
RAM Channels
2
4+100%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
32+100%
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon D-2799 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon D-2799). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Xeon D-2799 targets Edge Server / Networking. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Xeon D-2799 rivals EPYC 7302.

FeatureCore i5-10400FXeon D-2799
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming
Edge Server / Networking