Core i5-7400 vs Xeon W-2104

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 i5-7400 vs Xeon W-2104 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 i5-7400 vs Xeon W-2104: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7400

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Xeon W-2104 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Xeon W-2104.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,477 vs 5,530).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8.3 MB).

Xeon W-2104

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2104 better than Core i5-7400?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2104 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-7400 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, Xeon W-2104 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon W-2104 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-2104 comes in in basically the same MSRP band at $294 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-7400 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.0% better value on MSRP (18.8 vs 18.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon W-2104 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 37.5% larger total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 6 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-7400 vs Xeon W-2104 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7400

The Core i5-7400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,477 points. Launch price was $182.

Xeon W-2104

The Xeon W-2104 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,530 points. Launch price was $255.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7400 and Xeon W-2104 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7400 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon W-2104 — a 9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7400 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-7400 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-2104 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7400 scores 5,477 against the Xeon W-2104's 5,530 — a 1% lead for the Xeon W-2104. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7400 vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2104.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Xeon W-2104
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8.25 MB (total)+38%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	5,477	5,530
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,359	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,215	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,517	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2104 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Xeon W-2104
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7400) / not specified (Xeon W-2104). The Core i5-7400 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon W-2104 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7400 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-7400 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Xeon W-2104
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7400 was priced at $294, while the Xeon W-2104 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($294 vs $294), Xeon W-2104 was $0 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7400 delivers 18.6 pts/$ vs 18.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2104 — making the Xeon W-2104 the 1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Xeon W-2104
MSRP	$294	$294
Performance per Dollar	18.6	18.8+1%
Release Date	2017	2017

Search Core i5-7400 on Amazon

Search Xeon W-2104 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.