Core i5-8400 vs Xeon Silver 4108

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 Silver 4108 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 Silver 4108: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $235 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
✅Delivers 130.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 50.7 vs 22.0 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 85W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Silver 4108 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 11 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Silver 4108, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon Silver 4108

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+22.2% larger total L3 cache (11 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,177 vs 9,229).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.0 vs 50.7 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌30.8% higher power demand at 85W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8400 better than Xeon Silver 4108?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Silver 4108 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-8400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-8400 comes in $235 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $417 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Silver 4108 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 130.4% better value on MSRP (50.7 vs 22.0 PassMark/$), 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 Silver 4108 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-8400 vs Xeon Silver 4108 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 Silver 4108

The Xeon Silver 4108 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 9,177 points. Launch price was $417.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8400 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon Silver 4108 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Silver 4108 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i5-8400 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4108 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-8400 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Silver 4108 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400 scores 9,229 against the Xeon Silver 4108's 9,177 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-8400. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400 vs 11 MB on the Xeon Silver 4108.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Xeon Silver 4108
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+33%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+56%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	11 MB+22%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+3100%	8 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	9,229	9,177

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Silver 4108 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Xeon Silver 4108
Socket	LGA1151	LGA3647
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 Silver 4108). The Core i5-8400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon Silver 4108 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Xeon Silver 4108
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8400 was priced at $182, while the Xeon Silver 4108 came in at $417. On launch pricing ($182 vs $417), Core i5-8400 was $235 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8400 delivers 50.7 pts/$ vs 22.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Silver 4108 — making the Core i5-8400 the 78.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Xeon Silver 4108
MSRP	$182-56%	$417
Performance per Dollar	50.7+130%	22.0
Release Date	2017	2017

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