Core i5-11400H vs Xeon Gold 5115

Intel

Core i5-11400H

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 5115

10 Cores20 Thrd85 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2017
Similar parts
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Core i5-11400H vs Xeon Gold 5115 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 i5-11400H vs Xeon Gold 5115 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 i5-11400H vs Xeon Gold 5115: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11400H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 35W instead of 85W, a 50W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU, while Xeon Gold 5115 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 5115, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon Gold 5115

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (15,017 vs 15,262).
  • 142.9% higher power demand at 85W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11400H better than Xeon Gold 5115?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 5115 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11400H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-11400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.9% 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, Core i5-11400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-11400H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-11400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-11400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 10/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11400H vs Xeon Gold 5115 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-11400H

The Core i5-11400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,262 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon Gold 5115

The Xeon Gold 5115 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 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 13.75 MB. L2 cache: 10 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 15,017 points. Launch price was $1,221.

Processing Power

The Core i5-11400H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5115 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon Gold 5115 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-11400H versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5115 — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-11400H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-11400H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon Gold 5115 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400H scores 15,262 against the Xeon Gold 5115's 15,017 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i5-11400H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400H vs 13.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 5115.

FeatureCore i5-11400HXeon Gold 5115
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz+41%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+13%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
13.75 MB+15%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
10 MB+700%
Process
10 nm SuperFin-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark
15,262+2%
15,017
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,150
Geekbench 6 Single
1,900
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,500
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5115 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-11400HXeon Gold 5115
Socket
FCBGA1787
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
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11400H) / not specified (Xeon Gold 5115). The Core i5-11400H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU), while the Xeon Gold 5115 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400H targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

FeatureCore i5-11400HXeon Gold 5115
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 11th Gen 16EU
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming Laptop