Core i5-8400 vs Xeon D-1557

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 i5-8400 vs Xeon D-1557 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 i5-8400 vs Xeon D-1557: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8400

2017

Why buy it

✅+500% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon D-1557 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-1557 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,229 vs 9,285).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon D-1557, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Xeon D-1557 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Xeon D-1557

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 9 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1557 better than Core i5-8400?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon D-1557 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-8400 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 D-1557 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.9% 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 D-1557 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

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

Xeon D-1557 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon D-1557 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (50.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-8400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016) and 500% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 1.5 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8400 vs Xeon D-1557 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8400

The Core i5-8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 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: 9,229 points. Launch price was $182.

Xeon D-1557

The Xeon D-1557 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,285 points. Launch price was $694.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8400 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon D-1557 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon D-1557 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i5-8400 versus 2.1 GHz on the Xeon D-1557 — a 62.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i5-8400 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon D-1557 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400 scores 9,229 against the Xeon D-1557's 9,285 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon D-1557. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400 vs 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1557.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Xeon D-1557
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+90%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+87%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+500%	1.5 MB (per core)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	9,229	9,285

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon D-1557 uses FCBGA1667 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Xeon D-1557
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1667
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-8400) / not specified (Xeon D-1557). The Core i5-8400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon D-1557 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400 targets Desktop.