Core i5-8400T vs Xeon E5-2608L 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 i5-8400T vs Xeon E5-2608L 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 i5-8400T vs Xeon E5-2608L 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 i5-8400T

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $181 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $363 MSRP).
✅Delivers 98.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.8 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $363 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 50W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2608L v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2608L v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,426 vs 7,447).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2608L v4, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-2608L v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+122.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.5 vs 40.8 PassMark/$ ($363 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 50W vs 35W.
❌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 E5-2608L v4 better than Core i5-8400T?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2608L v4 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 E5-2608L v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.4% 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 E5-2608L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 122.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2608L v4 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2608L v4 comes in 99.5% more expensive on MSRP at $363 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8400T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 98.9% better value on paper (40.8 vs 20.5 PassMark/$), 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 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8400T vs Xeon E5-2608L v4 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 E5-2608L v4

The Xeon E5-2608L 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 50 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 7,447 points. Launch price was $363.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8400T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2608L v4 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2608L v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-8400T versus 1.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2608L v4 — a 69.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400T. The Core i5-8400T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2608L v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400T scores 7,426 against the Xeon E5-2608L v4's 7,447 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2608L v4. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400T vs 20 MB on the Xeon E5-2608L v4.

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Xeon E5-2608L v4
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+106%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	—
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	20 MB+122%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	7,426	7,447
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,737	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,092	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,816	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i5-8400T) / not specified (Xeon E5-2608L v4). The Core i5-8400T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2608L v4 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Xeon E5-2608L v4
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 E5-2608L v4 came in at $363. On launch pricing ($182 vs $363), Core i5-8400T was $181 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8400T delivers 40.8 pts/$ vs 20.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2608L v4 — making the Core i5-8400T the 66.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8400T	Xeon E5-2608L v4
MSRP	$182-50%	$363
Performance per Dollar	40.8+99%	20.5
Release Date	2018	2016

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