Core i5-11400T vs Xeon E5-2685 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 i5-11400T vs Xeon E5-2685 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 i5-11400T vs Xeon E5-2685 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 i5-11400T

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1,908 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1056.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.6 vs 6.2 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 120W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2685 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2685 v3, which brings 12 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5-2685 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,944 vs 13,034).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.2 vs 71.6 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌242.9% higher power demand at 120W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11400T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11400T better than Xeon E5-2685 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2685 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11400T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-11400T comes in $1,908 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2685 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 22.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1056.3% better value on MSRP (71.6 vs 6.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-11400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2014), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 12/12, 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 i5-11400T vs Xeon E5-2685 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11400T

The Core i5-11400T 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 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,034 points. Launch price was $182.

Xeon E5-2685 v3

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,944 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11400T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2685 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-11400T versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-11400T (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-11400T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400T scores 13,034 against the Xeon E5-2685 v3's 12,944 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-11400T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400T vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2685 v3.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 12+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,034	12,944
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,891	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,767	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,179	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
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 i5-11400T) / not specified (Xeon E5-2685 v3). The Core i5-11400T includes integrated graphics (UHD 730), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400T rivals Core i5-11400.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD 730	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Productivity	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11400T was priced at $182, while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 came in at $2090. On launch pricing ($182 vs $2090), Core i5-11400T was $1908 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11400T delivers 71.6 pts/$ vs 6.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2685 v3 — making the Core i5-11400T the 168.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Xeon E5-2685 v3
MSRP	$182-91%	$2090
Performance per Dollar	71.6+1055%	6.2
Release Date	2021	2014

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