Core i5-11400 vs Xeon E-2278G

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 i5-11400 vs Xeon E-2278G 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 i5-11400 vs Xeon E-2278G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11400

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Xeon E-2278G.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2278G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,670 vs 16,825).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2278G, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Xeon E-2278G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E-2278G

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11400.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2278G better than Core i5-11400?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2278G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11400 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-2278G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.4% 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-2278G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E-2278G is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11400 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2278G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11400 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (91.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-11400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11400 vs Xeon E-2278G Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11400

The Core i5-11400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 16,670 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E-2278G

The Xeon E-2278G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,825 points. Launch price was $494.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11400 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E-2278G offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E-2278G has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11400 versus 5 GHz on the Xeon E-2278G — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2278G (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-11400 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2278G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400 scores 16,670 against the Xeon E-2278G's 16,825 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E-2278G. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400 vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2278G.

Feature	Core i5-11400	Xeon E-2278G
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.4 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	16,670	16,825
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,350	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,960	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,260	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2278G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11400 versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon E-2278G — the Core i5-11400 supports 20% 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: 20 (Core i5-11400) vs 16 (Xeon E-2278G) — the Core i5-11400 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B560,Z590 (Core i5-11400) and C242,C246 (Xeon E-2278G).

Feature	Core i5-11400	Xeon E-2278G
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11400 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11400) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Xeon E-2278G). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-11400) and Intel UHD Graphics P630 (Xeon E-2278G) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400 targets Mainstream Desktop, Xeon E-2278G targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11400	Xeon E-2278G
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 730	Intel UHD Graphics P630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	Server