Core i5-8500B vs Xeon E5-2450 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 i5-8500B vs Xeon E5-2450 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 i5-8500B vs Xeon E5-2450 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 i5-8500B

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2450 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2450 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,900 vs 9,057).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2450 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2450 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2450 v2

2013

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

❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2450 v2 better than Core i5-8500B?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2450 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-8500B 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 E5-2450 v2 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 E5-2450 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% 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 E5-2450 v2 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon E5-2450 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8500B only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 21.4% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-8500B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8500B vs Xeon E5-2450 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500B

The Core i5-8500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 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 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: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,900 points. Launch price was $192.

Xeon E5-2450 v2

The Xeon E5-2450 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,057 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8500B packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2450 v2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2450 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500B versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2450 v2 — a 21.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-8500B (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-8500B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2450 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500B scores 8,900 against the Xeon E5-2450 v2's 9,057 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2450 v2. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500B vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2450 v2.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Xeon E5-2450 v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+24%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+122%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	8,900	9,057+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,364	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500B uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2450 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Xeon E5-2450 v2
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500B) / not specified (Xeon E5-2450 v2). The Core i5-8500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2450 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500B targets Mini PC/Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500B rivals Ryzen 5 2600.