CPU
GPU
Xeon E5-2609 v4
Core i5-6400
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E5-2609 v4 is positioned at rank 526 and the Core i5-6400 is on rank 600, so the Xeon E5-2609 v4 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2609 v4
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2609 v4 | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($57) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2609 v4 | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($57) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2609 v4 and Core i5-6400
Xeon E5-2609 v4
The Xeon E5-2609 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,418 points. Launch price was $306.
Core i5-6400
The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2609 v4 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-6400 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2609 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2609 v4 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 — a 64% clock advantage for the Core i5-6400 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon E5-2609 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6400 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2609 v4 scores 5,418 against the Core i5-6400's 5,417 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5-2609 v4. L3 cache: 20 MB on the Xeon E5-2609 v4 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6400.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2609 v4 | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+100% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.7 GHz | 3.3 GHz+94% |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | 2.7 GHz+59% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB+233% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell (2015−2019) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 5,418 | 5,417 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 950 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 3,200 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2609 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2609 v4 | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2609 v4) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6400). The Core i5-6400 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E5-2609 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2609 v4 | Core i5-6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Mainstream Desktop |
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