Core i5-8279U vs Xeon E5-2667

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 i5-8279U vs Xeon E5-2667 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 i5-8279U vs Xeon E5-2667: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8279U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 130W, a 102W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2667, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2667

2012

Why buy it

✅+150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8279U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,442 vs 7,464).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,552 MSRP, while Core i5-8279U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌364.3% higher power demand at 130W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8279U better than Xeon E5-2667?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2667 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-8279U 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 i5-8279U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% 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 i5-8279U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8279U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2667 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-8279U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,552 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2667 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-8279U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8279U vs Xeon E5-2667 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8279U

The Core i5-8279U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,464 points. Launch price was $320.

Xeon E5-2667

The Xeon E5-2667 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,442 points. Launch price was $714.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8279U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2667 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2667 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8279U versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2667 — a 15.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-8279U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-8279U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2667 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8279U scores 7,464 against the Xeon E5-2667's 7,442 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-8279U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8279U vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2667.

Feature	Core i5-8279U	Xeon E5-2667
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+17%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.9 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	7,464	7,442

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8279U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2667 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8279U	Xeon E5-2667
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3 1600 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40