Xeon E5-2680 vs Core i5-9400
Xeon E5-2680
Core i5-9400
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. The Xeon E5-2680 is positioned at rank #1014 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-9400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2680 | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($85) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2680 | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+111%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($85) |
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 E5-2680 and Core i5-9400
Xeon E5-2680
The Xeon E5-2680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,289 points. Launch price was $1,723.
Core i5-9400
The Core i5-9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 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: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,372 points. Launch price was $182.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2680 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-9400 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9400 — a 15.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E5-2680 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-9400 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2680 scores 9,289 against the Core i5-9400's 9,372 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-9400. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9400.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+33% | 6 / 6 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.1 GHz+17% |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 2.9 GHz+7% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (total)+122% | 9 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 9,289 | 9,372 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2680 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-9400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2680 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9400 — the Core i5-9400 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2680 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2680) vs 2 (Core i5-9400). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2680) vs 16 (Core i5-9400) — the Xeon E5-2680 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-2666+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 384 GB+200% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2680) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9400). The Core i5-9400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2680 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2680 launched at $3226 MSRP, while the Core i5-9400 debuted at $192. At current prices ($40 vs $85), the Xeon E5-2680 is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2680 delivers 232.2 pts/$ vs 110.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-9400 — making the Xeon E5-2680 the 71.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $3226 | $192-94% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-53% | $85 |
| Performance per Dollar | 232.2+111% | 110.3 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2019 |
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