Xeon E-2378 vs Xeon Gold 5117

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.

Xeon E-2378 vs Xeon Gold 5117 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.

Xeon E-2378 vs Xeon Gold 5117: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E-2378

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +27.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $924 less on MSRP ($362 MSRP vs $1,286 MSRP).
✅Delivers 258.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 47.2 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($362 MSRP vs $1,286 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 19 MB).

Xeon Gold 5117

2017

Why buy it

✅+20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2378 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,897 vs 17,069).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 47.2 PassMark/$ ($1,286 MSRP vs $362 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2378 better than Xeon Gold 5117?

Yes. Xeon E-2378 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 27.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E-2378 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 27.3% 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-2378 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon E-2378 is the better buy right now. Xeon E-2378 comes in $924 cheaper on MSRP at $362 MSRP versus $1,286 MSRP, and it still gives you a 27.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 258.9% better value on MSRP (47.2 vs 13.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E-2378 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 14/28. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E-2378 vs Xeon Gold 5117 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Gold 5117

The Xeon Gold 5117 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. L2 cache: 14 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 16,897 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E-2378 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5117 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon Gold 5117 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2378 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5117 — a 52.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2378 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E-2378 uses the Rocket Lake-E (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5117 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2378 scores 17,069 against the Xeon Gold 5117's 16,897 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E-2378. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2378 vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 5117.

Feature	Xeon E-2378	Xeon Gold 5117
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+71%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+30%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	19.25 MB+20%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+3557%	14 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake-E (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	17,069+1%	16,897
Geekbench 6 Single	1,821	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,986	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2378 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5117 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Xeon E-2378 versus 2400 on the Xeon Gold 5117 — the Xeon E-2378 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5117 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E-2378) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 5117). PCIe lanes: 20 (Xeon E-2378) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 5117) — the Xeon Gold 5117 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C252,C256 (Xeon E-2378) and C621 (Xeon Gold 5117).

Feature	Xeon E-2378	Xeon Gold 5117
Socket	LGA1200	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+33%	2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	48+140%

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Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E-2378) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5117). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5117 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.

Feature	Xeon E-2378	Xeon Gold 5117
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E-2378 was priced at $362, while the Xeon Gold 5117 came in at $1286. On launch pricing ($362 vs $1286), Xeon E-2378 was $924 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E-2378 delivers 47.2 pts/$ vs 13.1 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5117 — making the Xeon E-2378 the 112.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E-2378	Xeon Gold 5117
MSRP	$362-72%	$1286
Performance per Dollar	47.2+260%	13.1
Release Date	2021	2017

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