Core i5-8400H vs Xeon E3-1271 v3
Core i5-8400H
Xeon E3-1271 v3
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-8400H is positioned at rank 142 and the Xeon E3-1271 v3 is on rank 862, so the Core i5-8400H offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8400H
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1271 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-8400H | Xeon E3-1271 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($831) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-8400H | Xeon E3-1271 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($831) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8400H and Xeon E3-1271 v3
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.
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 |
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 200% 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 — 66.7% 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+33% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+100% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
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.
| Feature | Core i5-8400H | Xeon E3-1271 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mobile | Server |
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