Core i5-9400T vs Xeon E3-1240 v5

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 i5-9400T vs Xeon E3-1240 v5 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 i5-9400T vs Xeon E3-1240 v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9400T

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 80W, a 45W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E3-1240 v5 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1240 v5 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,180 vs 8,258).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1240 v5, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1240 v5 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1240 v5

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌128.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1240 v5 better than Core i5-9400T?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1240 v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-9400T 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 E3-1240 v5 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.1% 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 E3-1240 v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1240 v5 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9400T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1240 v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9400T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-9400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-9400T vs Xeon E3-1240 v5 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-9400T

The Core i5-9400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: 8,180 points. Launch price was $182.

Xeon E3-1240 v5

The Xeon E3-1240 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151, LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 8,258 points. Launch price was $282.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9400T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-9400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-9400T versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 v5 — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1240 v5 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-9400T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9400T scores 8,180 against the Xeon E3-1240 v5's 8,258 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1240 v5. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400T vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240 v5.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Xeon E3-1240 v5
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.9 GHz+15%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.5 GHz+94%
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 (2017−2019)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	8,180	8,258

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9400T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 uses LGA1151, LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-9400T	Xeon E3-1240 v5
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151, LGA2011
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: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400T) / not specified (Xeon E3-1240 v5). The Core i5-9400T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400T targets Desktop.