Core i5-8400H vs Xeon E3-1271 v3

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 i5-8400H vs Xeon E3-1271 v3 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 i5-8400H vs Xeon E3-1271 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8400H

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E3-1271 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E3-1271 v3

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (4,328 vs 4,963).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $727 MSRP, while Core i5-8400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8400H better than Xeon E3-1271 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1271 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-8400H 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 i5-8400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.1% 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 i5-8400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i5-8400H is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1271 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-8400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $727 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1271 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8400H vs Xeon E3-1271 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8400H

The Core i5-8400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,456 points. Launch price was $250.

Xeon E3-1271 v3

The Xeon E3-1271 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,504 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8400H and Xeon E3-1271 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1271 v3 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-8400H is built on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-8400H scores 7,456 against the Xeon E3-1271 v3's 7,504 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1271 v3. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,493 vs 1,308, a 13.2% lead for the Core i5-8400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,963 vs 4,328 (13.7% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1271 v3.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Xeon E3-1271 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+5%	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	—
PassMark	7,456	7,504
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,657	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,493+14%	1,308
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,963+15%	4,328

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1271 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i5-8400H versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1271 v3 — the Core i5-8400H supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8400H supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM370,Intel QM370 (Core i5-8400H) and B85,Q87,H81,Z87,H87,H97 (Xeon E3-1271 v3).

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Xeon E3-1271 v3
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz+67%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-8400H) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E3-1271 v3). The Core i5-8400H includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1271 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400H targets Mobile, Xeon E3-1271 v3 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1271 v3 rivals Core i7-4770.