Core Ultra 5 228V vs Xeon E-2378

Intel

Core Ultra 5 228V

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2024
Core Ultra family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E-2378

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Core Ultra 5 228V vs Xeon E-2378 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 Ultra 5 228V vs Xeon E-2378 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 Ultra 5 228V vs Xeon E-2378: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core Ultra 5 228V

2024

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Costs $67 less on MSRP ($295 MSRP vs $362 MSRP).
  • Delivers 21.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 57.5 vs 47.2 PassMark/$ ($295 MSRP vs $362 MSRP).
  • Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2378 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2378, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 20 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E-2378

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +17.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 20 PCIe lanes vs 8.
  • 150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,986 vs 10,053).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.2 vs 57.5 PassMark/$ ($362 MSRP vs $295 MSRP).
  • 282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 228V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 228V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 228V better than Xeon E-2378?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2378 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 228V is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 228V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 5 228V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 228V comes in $67 cheaper on MSRP at $295 MSRP versus $362 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Xeon E-2378 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 21.9% better value on MSRP (57.5 vs 47.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 5 228V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 228V vs Xeon E-2378 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core Ultra 5 228V

The Core Ultra 5 228V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,955 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon E-2378

The Xeon E-2378 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Rocket Lake-E (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,069 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 228V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E-2378's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 228V versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2378 — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2378 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 228V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon E-2378 uses Rocket Lake-E (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 228V scores 16,955 against the Xeon E-2378's 17,069 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E-2378. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,585 vs 1,821, a 34.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 228V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,053 vs 9,986 (0.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 228V). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 228V vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2378.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 228VXeon E-2378
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
4.8 GHz+7%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
2.6 GHz+24%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
16 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
2.5 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+20380%
Process
3 nm-79%
14 nm
Architecture
Lunar Lake (2024)
Rocket Lake-E (2021)
PassMark
16,955
17,069
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,932
Geekbench 6 Single
2,585+42%
1,821
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,053
9,986
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 228V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E-2378 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 5 228V versus DDR4-3200 on the Xeon E-2378 — the Core Ultra 5 228V supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E-2378 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 5 228V) vs 20 (Xeon E-2378) — the Xeon E-2378 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 5 228V) and C252,C256 (Xeon E-2378).

FeatureCore Ultra 5 228VXeon E-2378
Socket
FCBGA2833
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5X-8533+167%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
128 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
8
20+150%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon E-2378 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support Yes virtualization. The Core Ultra 5 228V includes integrated graphics (Arc 130V), while the Xeon E-2378 requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 228VXeon E-2378
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Arc 130V
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
Yes
Yes
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 228V was priced at $295, while the Xeon E-2378 came in at $362. On launch pricing ($295 vs $362), Core Ultra 5 228V was $67 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 228V delivers 57.5 pts/$ vs 47.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E-2378 — making the Core Ultra 5 228V the 19.7% better value option.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 228VXeon E-2378
MSRP
$295-19%
$362
Performance per Dollar
57.5+22%
47.2
Release Date
2024
2021

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