Core i5-10400F vs Xeon E5-2698B V3

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 E5-2698B V3 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 E5-2698B V3: 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 135W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2698B V3.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2698B V3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,029 vs 16,287).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 40 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2698B V3, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2698B V3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2698B V3

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+233.3% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌107.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2698B V3 better than Core i5-10400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2698B V3 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 E5-2698B V3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% 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 E5-2698B V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 25% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 233.3% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2698B V3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2698B V3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400F vs Xeon E5-2698B V3 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 E5-2698B V3

The Xeon E5-2698B V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 16,287 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-2698B V3 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2698B V3 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Xeon E5-2698B V3's 16,287 — a 22.2% lead for the Xeon E5-2698B V3. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 40 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2698B V3.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Xeon E5-2698B V3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+26%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+45%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	40 MB (total)+233%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,029	16,287+25%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Xeon E5-2698B V3
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011-3
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 (Core i5-10400F) / not specified (Xeon E5-2698B V3). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.