Core i5-8365U vs Xeon E-2104G

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 i5-8365U vs Xeon E-2104G 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 i5-8365U vs Xeon E-2104G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8365U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E-2104G

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8365U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,858 vs 5,939).
❌Launch MSRP is still $193 MSRP, while Core i5-8365U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8365U better than Xeon E-2104G?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2104G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-8365U 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 i5-8365U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.0% 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 i5-8365U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8365U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E-2104G is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-8365U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $193 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E-2104G is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (30.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8365U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8365U vs Xeon E-2104G Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8365U

The Core i5-8365U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,939 points. Launch price was $297.

Xeon E-2104G

The Xeon E-2104G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 5,858 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8365U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E-2104G's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8365U versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E-2104G — a 24.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-8365U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-8365U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2104G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8365U scores 5,939 against the Xeon E-2104G's 5,858 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-8365U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8365U vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2104G.

Feature	Core i5-8365U	Xeon E-2104G
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+28%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.2 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	5,939+1%	5,858

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8365U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E-2104G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.