Core i5-11400F vs Xeon Gold 5118
Core i5-11400F
Xeon Gold 5118
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-11400F
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 5118
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-11400F | Xeon Gold 5118 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Rocket Lake (2021) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-11400F | Xeon Gold 5118 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-11400F and Xeon Gold 5118
Core i5-11400F
The Core i5-11400F 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. Passmark benchmark score: 16,902 points. Launch price was $157.
Xeon Gold 5118
The Xeon Gold 5118 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 16,744 points. Launch price was $1,273.
Processing Power
The Core i5-11400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5118 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 5118 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11400F versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5118 — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-11400F (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-11400F uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5118 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400F scores 16,902 against the Xeon Gold 5118's 16,744 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-11400F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400F vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5118.
| Feature | Core i5-11400F | Xeon Gold 5118 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 12 / 24+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+38% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+13% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 16.5 MB+38% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 12 MB+4700% |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Rocket Lake (2021) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 16,902 | 16,744 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,000 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 7,600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-11400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5118 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11400F versus 2400 on the Xeon Gold 5118 — the Xeon Gold 5118 supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5118 supports up to 768 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-11400F) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 5118). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11400F) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 5118) — the Xeon Gold 5118 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B560,Z590 (Core i5-11400F) and C621 (Xeon Gold 5118).
| Feature | Core i5-11400F | Xeon Gold 5118 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | 2400+59900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+17476167% | 768 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 6+200% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 48+140% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-11400F targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5118 rivals EPYC 7301.
| Feature | Core i5-11400F | Xeon Gold 5118 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mainstream Desktop | — |
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