CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11400T and Intel Xeon E-2374G are both Rocket Lake-based processors on the Intel Socket 1200 platform, but they target different missions. The data shows a clear, consistent winner in raw benchmark performance: the Xeon E-2374G takes all six head-to-head tests, yet the i5-11400T remains a compelling option due to its substantially lower power envelope and larger cache. This analysis breaks down the numbers to determine which processor fits which workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E-2374G wins every single benchmark in the comparison, but the margins are remarkably narrow. Across six Cinebench tests, the Xeon’s advantage ranges from 1.9% to 2.5%, meaning the i5-11400T is never far behind despite having fewer cores and a much lower clock speed.

In multi-core workloads, the Xeon edges ahead in all three Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 1142 against the i5’s 1120, a 1.9% lead. That gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Xeon posts 4760 versus 4667 (2% delta), and holds steady in Cinebench R23 multicore with 11335 against 11113 (2% delta). These results are counterintuitive given the core count difference, the i5 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon has just 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon’s 3.70 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock clearly compensate for its two fewer cores, allowing it to outpace the i5-11400T, which runs at 1.30 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost.

Single-core performance tells a similar story. The Xeon wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 161 points versus 157 (2.5% delta), Cinebench R20 single-core with 672 versus 658 (2.1% delta), and Cinebench R23 single-core with 1600 versus 1569 (1.9% delta). The Xeon’s higher boost clock is the obvious driver here, but the consistency of the margin, always under 3%, suggests the i5’s architecture is not far off in per-clock efficiency.

The overall benchmark averages reflect this closeness. The i5-11400T has an average benchmark score of 3309, while the Xeon E-2374G sits at 3278. That is a 0.9% difference in favor of the i5, even though the Xeon won every individual head-to-head test. The reason: the i5 has additional Geekbench scores (5591 multicore, 1597 single-core) that are not part of the Xeon’s benchmark set, which pulls its average up. The percentile rankings are nearly identical too, the i5 sits at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, the Xeon at the 53rd.

For context, the i5-11400T’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 5300G, which scores 3303 (0.2% delta), while the Xeon’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-12100T at 3277 (0% delta). Both processors are effectively in the same performance tier as their nearest rivals, meaning neither breaks new ground relative to the market.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2374G is the outright winner in every benchmark category tested, but the real question is why. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock is the standout feature, giving it a decisive edge in single-threaded tasks that rely on raw clock speed. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon’s 1600-point score is just 2% higher than the i5’s 1569, but in real-world applications that favor one or two threads, that margin can translate to snappier response times. The Xeon also wins all three multi-core tests, which is surprising given its core deficit, but the data does not lie, the 4-core/8-thread Xeon outperforms the 6-core/12-thread i5 in every Cinebench multicore run.

The i5-11400T wins where the benchmarks do not fully capture its strengths. Its 35 W TDP is less than half the Xeon’s 80 W, making it the clear choice for power-constrained systems or compact builds where thermal headroom is limited. The i5 also has a larger 12 MB shared L3 cache versus the Xeon’s 8 MB, which can benefit workloads that repeatedly access the same data set. Additionally, the i5 includes Geekbench scores in its benchmark set, 5591 multicore and 1597 single-core, which the Xeon lacks, indicating that the i5 has been tested across a broader range of synthetic workloads.

For server and workstation tasks, the Xeon brings ECC memory support, a feature the i5 lacks entirely. That makes the Xeon the only option here for environments where data integrity is non-negotiable, such as file servers or database hosts. The Xeon also has a higher launch MSRP of $334, but the i5’s $182 launch MSRP reflects its more mainstream positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2374G has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite this, the Xeon wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests.

Q: How much faster is the Xeon E-2374G in single-core performance?

A: Across three Cinebench single-core tests (R15, R20, R23), the Xeon leads by 2.5%, 2.1%, and 1.9% respectively, with scores of 161, 672, and 1600 versus the i5’s 157, 658, and 1569.

Q: Does the i5-11400T have any benchmark where it beats the Xeon?

A: No. The Xeon wins all six head-to-head benchmarks. However, the i5 has a higher average benchmark score (3309 versus 3278) because it includes Geekbench results that are not in the Xeon’s benchmark set.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2374G supports ECC memory. The i5-11400T does not list ECC support in its specifications.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The i5-11400T has a 35 W TDP, while the Xeon E-2374G has an 80 W TDP. The i5 uses less than half the power of the Xeon.

Q: Are these CPUs on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use the Intel Socket 1200 and are based on the Rocket Lake architecture. The Xeon uses the Rocket Lake-E variant, while the i5 uses the standard Rocket Lake.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key specifications that matter for system design. The i5-11400T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon E-2374G has 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds differ dramatically: the i5 runs at 1.30 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, whereas the Xeon runs at 3.70 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. The i5’s 35 W TDP is far lower than the Xeon’s 80 W.

Cache allocation also differs. The i5 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon has 8 MB. Both have identical L1 (80 KB per core) and L2 (512 KB per core) caches. Memory support is the same on paper, DDR4 with dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, but the Xeon adds ECC memory support, a feature absent from the i5. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Xeon uses UHD Graphics P750.

The market segments and production statuses tell the story. The i5 is a Desktop processor that is end-of-life, released on 2021-03-15 with a launch MSRP of $182. The Xeon is a Server/Workstation processor that is still active, released on 2021-09-07 with a launch MSRP of $334. Both use PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and share the same 276 mm² die size on a 14 nm process node.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node with a 276 mm² die size, and both use the Rocket Lake architecture, the i5 with the Rocket Lake-S codename and the Xeon with Rocket Lake-E. The foundry is Intel for both, and neither has a transistor count listed.

The core architecture is where they diverge. The i5-11400T is a 6-core, 12-thread design with a base clock of 1.30 GHz and boost of 3.70 GHz. The Xeon E-2374G is a 4-core, 8-thread design with a much higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost of 5.00 GHz. The Xeon’s higher clocks are its primary architectural advantage, allowing it to outperform the i5 despite having fewer cores.

Cache hierarchy is partially shared: both have 80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but the i5 has 12 MB of shared L3 versus the Xeon’s 8 MB. The i5’s larger L3 could help in workloads with high data reuse, though the benchmark data does not show a clear advantage in the tested Cinebench scenarios.

The Xeon adds ECC memory support and uses the UHD Graphics P750, while the i5 uses UHD Graphics 730 and lacks ECC. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and both offer PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The Xeon’s Rocket Lake-E variant is designed for server reliability, as evidenced by its ECC support and active production status, while the i5 is a desktop part that has reached end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split: the Intel Xeon E-2374G is the faster processor in every benchmark tested, but the Intel Core i5-11400T is the more efficient and cache-rich option. If raw performance is the only criterion, the Xeon wins, it beats the i5 by 1.9% to 2.5% across all six Cinebench tests, including multi-core where it overcomes a two-core deficit. The Xeon’s 5.00 GHz boost clock and 3.70 GHz base clock are the decisive factors, and its ECC memory support makes it the only choice for mission-critical server workloads.

However, the i5-11400T is not a poor performer. Its 6 cores and 12 threads provide more parallel throughput capability than the Xeon’s 4 cores and 8 threads, even if the benchmark results do not reflect an advantage. The i5’s 35 W TDP is a massive differentiator, it uses less than half the power of the Xeon’s 80 W, making it ideal for small-form-factor builds, silent PCs, or any system where heat and power are primary constraints. The i5 also has 50% more L3 cache (12 MB versus 8 MB), which could benefit certain workloads that the Cinebench suite does not capture.

Choose the Xeon E-2374G if you need maximum performance per clock, ECC memory support, or a server-grade processor that is still in active production. Choose the i5-11400T if you prioritize power efficiency, larger cache capacity, or a lower launch MSRP, and if your workloads are not sensitive to the marginal 2% performance difference. The i5’s end-of-life status is a consideration, but its lower power draw and higher core count make it a viable choice for energy-conscious desktop builds. The verdict from the data: the Xeon is faster, but the i5 is not obsolete, it is simply optimized for a different set of priorities.