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 i5-10400F vs Xeon Gold 6138 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 i5-10400F vs Xeon Gold 6138: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,452 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Delivers 782.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon Gold 6138.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6138 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (5,783 vs 15,439).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 28 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6138, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6138

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+129.2% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅200% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($2,612 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6138 better than Core i5-10400F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6138 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-10400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6138 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.8% 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 Gold 6138 is the stronger fit. You are getting 167% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 129.2% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6138 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6138 comes in 1532.5% more expensive on MSRP at $2,612 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 782.3% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400F vs Xeon Gold 6138 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10400F

The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.

Xeon Gold 6138

The Xeon Gold 6138 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 24,108 points. Launch price was $2,612.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 — a 15% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Xeon Gold 6138's 24,108 — a 59.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 1,261, a 14.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 15,439 (91% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Xeon Gold 6138
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	20 / 40+233%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+16%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+45%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	27.5 MB+129%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+1180%	20 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	13,029	24,108+85%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454+15%	1,261
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	15,439+167%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6138 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10400F) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6138). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6138) — the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6138).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Xeon Gold 6138
Socket	LGA1200	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	48+200%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6138 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Xeon Gold 6138 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Xeon Gold 6138
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Xeon Gold 6138 came in at $2612. On launch pricing ($160 vs $2612), Core i5-10400F was $2452 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6138 — making the Core i5-10400F the 159.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Xeon Gold 6138
MSRP	$160-94%	$2612
Performance per Dollar	81.4+785%	9.2
Release Date	2020	2017

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