Core i5-8400T vs Xeon D-1537

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 i5-8400T vs Xeon D-1537 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 i5-8400T vs Xeon D-1537: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8400T

2018

Why buy it

✅+500% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅Costs $288 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $470 MSRP).
✅Delivers 157.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.8 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $470 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon D-1537 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-1537 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,426 vs 7,444).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon D-1537, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon D-1537

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 9 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.8 vs 40.8 PassMark/$ ($470 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8400T.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1537 better than Core i5-8400T?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon D-1537 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-8400T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon D-1537 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.4% 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, Xeon D-1537 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon D-1537 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon D-1537 comes in 158.2% more expensive on MSRP at $470 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8400T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 157.6% better value on paper (40.8 vs 15.8 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-8400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015) and 500% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 1.5 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8400T vs Xeon D-1537 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8400T

The Core i5-8400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,426 points. Launch price was $182.

Xeon D-1537

The Xeon D-1537 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,444 points. Launch price was $470.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8400T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon D-1537 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon D-1537 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-8400T versus 2.3 GHz on the Xeon D-1537 — a 35.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400T (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-8400T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon D-1537 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400T scores 7,426 against the Xeon D-1537's 7,444 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon D-1537. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400T vs 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1537.

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Xeon D-1537
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+43%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+500%	1.5 MB (per core)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	7,426	7,444
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,737	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,092	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,816	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon D-1537 uses FCBGA1667 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Xeon D-1537
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1667
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: Yes (Core i5-8400T) / not specified (Xeon D-1537). The Core i5-8400T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon D-1537 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Xeon D-1537
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8400T was priced at $182, while the Xeon D-1537 came in at $470. On launch pricing ($182 vs $470), Core i5-8400T was $288 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8400T delivers 40.8 pts/$ vs 15.8 pts/$ for the Xeon D-1537 — making the Core i5-8400T the 88.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Xeon D-1537
MSRP	$182-61%	$470
Performance per Dollar	40.8+158%	15.8
Release Date	2018	2015

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