Core i5-8400H vs Xeon E5-2637 v4

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 E5-2637 v4 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 E5-2637 v4: 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: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 135W, a 90W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2637 v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,456 vs 7,460).

Xeon E5-2637 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).
❌200% higher power demand at 135W 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 E5-2637 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2637 v4 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2637 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8400H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2016) and 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8400H vs Xeon E5-2637 v4 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 E5-2637 v4

The Xeon E5-2637 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,460 points. Launch price was $996.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8400H and Xeon E5-2637 v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2637 v4 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-8400H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2637 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400H scores 7,456 against the Xeon E5-2637 v4's 7,460 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2637 v4. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H vs 10 MB on the Xeon E5-2637 v4.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Xeon E5-2637 v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+20%	10 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	7,456	7,460
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,657	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,493	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,963	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2637 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Xeon E5-2637 v4
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-8400H) / not specified (Xeon E5-2637 v4). The Core i5-8400H includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2637 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400H targets Mobile.