CPU
GPU
Core i5-6400
Xeon E3-1270
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. The Core i5-6400 is positioned at rank 600 and the Xeon E3-1270 is on rank 684, so the Core i5-6400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6400
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1270
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6400 | Xeon E3-1270 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($57) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($178) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6400 | Xeon E3-1270 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+215%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($57) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($178) |
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 i5-6400 and Xeon E3-1270
Core i5-6400
The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.
Xeon E3-1270
The Xeon E3-1270 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,376 points. Launch price was $369.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1270's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1270 — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1270 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-6400 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1270 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6400 scores 5,417 against the Xeon E3-1270's 5,376 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-6400. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6400 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1270.
| Feature | Core i5-6400 | Xeon E3-1270 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.8 GHz+15% |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.4 GHz+26% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,417 | 5,376 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 950 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,200 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-6400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1270 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-6400 | Xeon E3-1270 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6400) / not specified (Xeon E3-1270). The Core i5-6400 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E3-1270 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-6400 | Xeon E3-1270 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 530 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-6400 launched at $182 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1270 debuted at $330. At current prices ($57 vs $178), the Core i5-6400 is $121 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6400 delivers 95.0 pts/$ vs 30.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1270 — making the Core i5-6400 the 103.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-6400 | Xeon E3-1270 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $182-45% | $330 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $57-68% | $178 |
| Performance per Dollar | 95.0+215% | 30.2 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2011 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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