Core i7-13790F vs Xeon Gold 6538N

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 i7-13790F vs Xeon Gold 6538N 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 i7-13790F vs Xeon Gold 6538N: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-13790F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,959 less on MSRP ($392 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Delivers 729.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.1 vs 13.4 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 205W, a 140W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (43,549 vs 44,895).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 60 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6538N, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 80 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6538N

2023

Why buy it

✅+3.1% higher PassMark.
✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 33 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 80 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅400% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13790F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.4 vs 111.1 PassMark/$ ($3,351 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
❌215.4% higher power demand at 205W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13790F better than Xeon Gold 6538N?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6538N makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-13790F 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 6538N is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.1% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 33 MB).

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

Core i7-13790F is the better buy right now. Core i7-13790F comes in $2,959 cheaper on MSRP at $392 MSRP versus $3,351 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6538N is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 3.1% better PassMark. It is also 729.2% better value on MSRP (111.1 vs 13.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6538N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 81.8% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 33 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 16/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-13790F vs Xeon Gold 6538N Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-13790F

The Core i7-13790F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 43,549 points. Launch price was $441.

Xeon Gold 6538N

The Xeon Gold 6538N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 44,895 points. Launch price was $3,351.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-13790F packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6538N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6538N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-13790F versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6538N — a 23.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-13790F (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-13790F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13790F scores 43,549 against the Xeon Gold 6538N's 44,895 — a 3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6538N. L3 cache: 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-13790F vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6538N.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Xeon Gold 6538N
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	32 / 64+100%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+27%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	33 MB (total)	60 MB (total)+82%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	43,549	44,895+3%
Cinebench R23 Multi	26,247	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,815	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,673	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13790F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13790F versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6538N — the Core i7-13790F supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6538N supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 2033.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13790F) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6538N). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-13790F) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6538N) — the Xeon Gold 6538N offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i7-13790F) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6538N).

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Xeon Gold 6538N
Socket	LGA1700	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+17%	4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	4096 GB+2033%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	80+400%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6538N rivals EPYC 9334.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Xeon Gold 6538N
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-13790F was priced at $392, while the Xeon Gold 6538N came in at $3351. On launch pricing ($392 vs $3351), Core i7-13790F was $2959 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13790F delivers 111.1 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6538N — making the Core i7-13790F the 157% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Xeon Gold 6538N
MSRP	$392-88%	$3351
Performance per Dollar	111.1+729%	13.4
Release Date	2023	2023

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