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 i5-11500 vs Xeon E-2378 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 i5-11500 vs Xeon E-2378: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $170 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $362 MSRP).
✅Delivers 88.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 47.2 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $362 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 750, while Xeon E-2378 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E-2378.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2378 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (8,564 vs 9,986).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2378, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E-2378

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.4% 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

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.2 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($362 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11500.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2378 better than Core i5-11500?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2378 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11500 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-2378 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.4% 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-2378 is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.6% better Geekbench multi-core, 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-2378 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2378 comes in 88.5% more expensive on MSRP at $362 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500 is also 88.8% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 47.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E-2378 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11500 vs Xeon E-2378 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11500

The Core i5-11500 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: 17,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E-2378

The Xeon E-2378 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Rocket Lake-E (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,069 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E-2378 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E-2378 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2378 — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2378 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2378 uses Rocket Lake-E (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Xeon E-2378's 17,069 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-11500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,064 vs 1,821, a 12.5% lead for the Core i5-11500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,564 vs 9,986 (15.3% advantage for the Xeon E-2378). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500 vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2378.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Xeon E-2378
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+4%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Rocket Lake-E (2021)
PassMark	17,096	17,069
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,883	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,064+13%	1,821
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,564	9,986+17%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,H470,Z490 (Core i5-11500) and C252,C256 (Xeon E-2378).

Feature	Core i5-11500	Xeon E-2378
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) vs Yes (Xeon E-2378). The Core i5-11500 includes integrated graphics (UHD 750), while the Xeon E-2378 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Xeon E-2378
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD 750	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500 was priced at $192, while the Xeon E-2378 came in at $362. On launch pricing ($192 vs $362), Core i5-11500 was $170 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500 delivers 89.0 pts/$ vs 47.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E-2378 — making the Core i5-11500 the 61.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Xeon E-2378
MSRP	$192-47%	$362
Performance per Dollar	89.0+89%	47.2
Release Date	2021	2021

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