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 E-2488 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 E-2488: 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 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E-2488.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2488 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 15,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2488, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 20 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Xeon E-2488 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E-2488

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 20 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2488 better than Core i5-10400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2488 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 E-2488 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 25.9% 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, Xeon E-2488 is the stronger fit. You are getting 83.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E-2488 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2488 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E-2488 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Xeon E-2488 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E-2488

The Xeon E-2488 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 31,888 points. Launch price was $606.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E-2488 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E-2488 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.6 GHz on the Xeon E-2488 — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2488 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2488 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Xeon E-2488's 31,888 — a 84% lead for the Xeon E-2488. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 15,000 (58.7% advantage for the Xeon E-2488). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,100, a 36.4% lead for the Xeon E-2488 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 12,000 (69.9% advantage for the Xeon E-2488). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2488.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Xeon E-2488
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.6 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	13,029	31,888+145%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	15,000+83%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,100+44%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	12,000+108%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E-2488 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon E-2488 — the Xeon E-2488 supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 20 (Xeon E-2488) — the Xeon E-2488 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and W680 (Xeon E-2488).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Xeon E-2488
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800+80%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E-2488). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Xeon E-2488 targets Entry-level Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Xeon E-2488 rivals Xeon E-2388G.