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 i5-12400F vs Xeon Gold 6238R 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 i5-12400F vs Xeon Gold 6238R: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,438 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Delivers 743.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon Gold 6238R.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 21,433).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 39 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6238R, which brings 28 cores / 56 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6238R

2020

Why buy it

✅+3162.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+113.9% larger total L3 cache (39 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 28 cores / 56 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($2,612 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i5-12400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Xeon Gold 6238R?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6238R makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6238R is the stronger fit. You are getting 3162.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 113.9% larger total L3 cache (39 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i5-12400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in $2,438 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $2,612 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6238R is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 3162.3% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 743.7% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 13.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-12400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Xeon Gold 6238R Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12400F

The Core i5-12400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.

Xeon Gold 6238R

The Xeon Gold 6238R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 34,751 points. Launch price was $2,612.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6238R offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Gold 6238R has 22 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6238R — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6238R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Xeon Gold 6238R's 34,751 — a 56.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6238R. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 21,433 (188.1% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6238R). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 38.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6238R.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Xeon Gold 6238R
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	28 / 56+367%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+10%	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	38.5 MB+114%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	28 MB+2140%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	19,532	34,751+78%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	21,433+3162%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6238R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6238R — the Core i5-12400F supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6238R supports up to 1 TB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6238R). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6238R) — the Xeon Gold 6238R offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and C621,C622,C624,C627,C628 (Xeon Gold 6238R).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Xeon Gold 6238R
Socket	LGA1700	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+64%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	1 TB+700%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	48+140%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Xeon Gold 6238R targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Xeon Gold 6238R rivals Xeon Gold 6248R.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Xeon Gold 6238R
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Xeon Gold 6238R came in at $2612. On launch pricing ($174 vs $2612), Core i5-12400F was $2438 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6238R — making the Core i5-12400F the 157.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Xeon Gold 6238R
MSRP	$174-93%	$2612
Performance per Dollar	112.3+744%	13.3
Release Date	2022	2020

Search Core i5-12400F on Amazon

Search Xeon Gold 6238R on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.