Core i5-13400T vs Xeon Gold 6138T

Intel

Core i5-13400T

10 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6138T

20 Cores40 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017
Similar parts
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Core i5-13400T vs Xeon Gold 6138T Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i5-13400T vs Xeon Gold 6138T 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 i5-13400T vs Xeon Gold 6138T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13400T

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $2,521 less on MSRP ($221 MSRP vs $2,742 MSRP).
  • Delivers 1135.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 91.7 vs 7.4 PassMark/$ ($221 MSRP vs $2,742 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (11,135 vs 11,988).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 28 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6138T, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6138T

2017

Why buy it

  • +7.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • +37.5% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 20.
  • 140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.4 vs 91.7 PassMark/$ ($2,742 MSRP vs $221 MSRP).
  • 257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.
  • Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400T better than Xeon Gold 6138T?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6138T makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13400T 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 6138T is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 20 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-13400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-13400T comes in $2,521 cheaper on MSRP at $221 MSRP versus $2,742 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6138T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 7.7% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 1135.2% better value on MSRP (91.7 vs 7.4 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) 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 i5-13400T vs Xeon Gold 6138T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-13400T

The Core i5-13400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 20,265 points. Launch price was $221.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6138T

The Xeon Gold 6138T 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: 20,356 points. Launch price was $2,742.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400T packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138T has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-13400T versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138T — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400T (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-13400T uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138T uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400T scores 20,265 against the Xeon Gold 6138T's 20,356 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,364 vs 1,030, a 78.6% lead for the Core i5-13400T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,135 vs 11,988 (7.4% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138T). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400T vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138T.

FeatureCore i5-13400TXeon Gold 6138T
Cores / Threads
10 / 16
20 / 40+100%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+19%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
1.3 GHz
2 GHz+54%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)
27.5 MB+38%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
20 MB+1500%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark
20,265
20,356
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,094
Geekbench 6 Single
2,364+130%
1,030
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,135
11,988+8%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138T uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-13400T versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6138T — the Core i5-13400T supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6138T supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13400T) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6138T). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400T) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6138T) — the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,H770,Z690 (Core i5-13400T) and C620 (Xeon Gold 6138T).

FeatureCore i5-13400TXeon Gold 6138T
Socket
LGA1700
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+80%
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
768 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
6+200%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
48+140%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon Gold 6138T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400T) vs Yes (Xeon Gold 6138T). The Core i5-13400T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 730), while the Xeon Gold 6138T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400T targets Energy Efficient Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400T rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureCore i5-13400TXeon Gold 6138T
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 730
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Yes
Target Use
Energy Efficient Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400T was priced at $221, while the Xeon Gold 6138T came in at $2742. On launch pricing ($221 vs $2742), Core i5-13400T was $2521 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400T delivers 91.7 pts/$ vs 7.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6138T — making the Core i5-13400T the 170% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13400TXeon Gold 6138T
MSRP
$221-92%
$2742
Performance per Dollar
91.7+1139%
7.4
Release Date
2023
2017

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