Core i5-11400F vs Xeon W-3223

Intel

Core i5-11400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Xeon W-3223

8 Cores16 Thrd160 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Core i5-11400F vs Xeon W-3223 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 i5-11400F vs Xeon W-3223 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 i5-11400F vs Xeon W-3223: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11400F

2021

Why buy it

  • Costs $137 less on MSRP ($157 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • Delivers 86.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 107.7 vs 57.7 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 160W, a 95W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Xeon W-3223.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3223 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (16,902 vs 16,956).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 17 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-3223, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon W-3223

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +25.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +37.5% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 57.7 vs 107.7 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
  • 146.2% higher power demand at 160W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-3223 better than Core i5-11400F?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-3223 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11400F 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 W-3223 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 25.6% 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 W-3223 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon W-3223 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon W-3223 comes in 87.3% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $157 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11400F is also 86.7% better value on MSRP (107.7 vs 57.7 PassMark/$), 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 i5-11400F 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 i5-11400F vs Xeon W-3223 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon W-3223

The Xeon W-3223 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,956 points. Launch price was $749.

Processing Power

The Core i5-11400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-3223 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon W-3223 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11400F versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon W-3223 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-11400F (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-11400F uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-3223 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400F scores 16,902 against the Xeon W-3223's 16,956 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon W-3223. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400F vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon W-3223.

FeatureCore i5-11400FXeon W-3223
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+5%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
3.5 GHz+35%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16.5 MB+38%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+3100%
8 MB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
16,902
16,956
Geekbench 6 Single
2,000
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,600
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-3223 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-11400FXeon W-3223
Socket
LGA1200
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11400F) / not specified (Xeon W-3223). Primary use case: Core i5-11400F targets Mainstream Desktop.

FeatureCore i5-11400FXeon W-3223
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mainstream Desktop
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11400F was priced at $157, while the Xeon W-3223 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($157 vs $294), Core i5-11400F was $137 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11400F delivers 107.7 pts/$ vs 57.7 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3223 — making the Core i5-11400F the 60.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-11400FXeon W-3223
MSRP
$157-47%
$294
Performance per Dollar
107.7+87%
57.7
Release Date
2021
2019

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