Core i5-8400H vs Xeon E5-2630 v2

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 E5-2630 v2 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 E5-2630 v2: 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: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2630 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2630 v2, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2630 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (3,654 vs 4,963).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,069 MSRP, while Core i5-8400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8400H better than Xeon E5-2630 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2630 v2 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 3.1% 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 35.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8400H is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2630 v2 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-8400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,069 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2630 v2 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8400H vs Xeon E5-2630 v2 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 E5-2630 v2

The Xeon E5-2630 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,490 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8400H packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2630 v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2630 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2630 v2 — a 30.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-8400H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2630 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400H scores 7,456 against the Xeon E5-2630 v2's 7,490 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2630 v2. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,493 vs 549, a 92.5% lead for the Core i5-8400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,963 vs 3,654 (30.4% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2630 v2.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Xeon E5-2630 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+35%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	7,456	7,490
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,657	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,493+172%	549
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,963+36%	3,654

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2630 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — 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 E5-2630 v2 — the Core i5-8400H supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2630 v2 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-8400H) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2630 v2). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-8400H) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2630 v2) — the Xeon E5-2630 v2 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM370,Intel QM370 (Core i5-8400H) and C602,C600 (Xeon E5-2630 v2).

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Xeon E5-2630 v2
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz+67%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	768 GB+1100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-8400H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2630 v2). The Core i5-8400H includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2630 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400H targets Mobile, Xeon E5-2630 v2 targets Server.