Core i5-8500 vs Xeon E-2174G

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 i5-8500 vs Xeon E-2174G 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 i5-8500 vs Xeon E-2174G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 71W, a 6W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2174G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,521 vs 9,604).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2174G, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Xeon E-2174G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E-2174G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2174G better than Core i5-8500?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2174G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-8500 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 E-2174G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.8% 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 E-2174G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E-2174G is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E-2174G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (49.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Xeon E-2174G is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-8500 vs Xeon E-2174G Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500

The Core i5-8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,521 points. Launch price was $202.

Xeon E-2174G

The Xeon E-2174G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 71 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,604 points. Launch price was $334.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8500 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E-2174G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500 versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon E-2174G — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2174G (base: 3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-8500 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2174G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500 scores 9,521 against the Xeon E-2174G's 9,604 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E-2174G. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2174G.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Xeon E-2174G
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.7 GHz+15%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+13%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	9,521	9,604