Core Ultra 5 235H vs Xeon Gold 6248

Intel

Core Ultra 5 235H

14 Cores14 Thrd20 WWMax: 5 GHz2025
Core Ultra family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6248

20 Cores40 Thrd150 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Core Ultra 5 235H vs Xeon Gold 6248 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 Ultra 5 235H vs Xeon Gold 6248 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 Ultra 5 235H vs Xeon Gold 6248: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core Ultra 5 235H

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +31.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 20W instead of 150W, a 130W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 140T Graphics, while Xeon Gold 6248 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,607 vs 19,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 28 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6248, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6248

2019

Why buy it

  • +7.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +52.8% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 28.
  • 71.4% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 235H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 650% higher power demand at 150W vs 20W.
  • Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 235H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 235H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 235H better than Xeon Gold 6248?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6248 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 235H 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 6248 is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 52.8% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 5 235H still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 5 235H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 31.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 5 235H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 235H vs Xeon Gold 6248 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core Ultra 5 235H

The Core Ultra 5 235H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 MB + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 29,820 points. Launch price was $354.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6248

The Xeon Gold 6248 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 29,535 points. Launch price was $3,072.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 235H packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6248 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6248 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235H versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6248 — a 24.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235H (base: 4.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 235H uses the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6248 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 235H scores 29,820 against the Xeon Gold 6248's 29,535 — a 1% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,607 vs 19,000 (7.6% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6248). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,693 vs 1,327, a 68% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,040 vs 15,277 (8.4% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6248). L3 cache: 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 235H vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6248.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 235HXeon Gold 6248
Cores / Threads
14 / 14
20 / 40+43%
Boost Clock
5 GHz+28%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
4.4 GHz+76%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB
27.5 MB+53%
L2 Cache
20 MB
Process
5 nm-64%
14 nm
Architecture
Arrow Lake-H (2025)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
29,820
29,535
Cinebench R23 Multi
17,607
19,000+8%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,693+103%
1,327
Geekbench 6 Multi
14,040
15,277+9%
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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 235H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6248 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 235H versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6248 — the Core Ultra 5 235H supports 118.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6248 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB 433.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 5 235H) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6248). PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 5 235H) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6248) — the Xeon Gold 6248 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 5 235H) and C620 (Xeon Gold 6248).

FeatureCore Ultra 5 235HXeon Gold 6248
Socket
FCBGA2049
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6400+118%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
1024 GB+433%
RAM Channels
2
6+200%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
28
48+71%
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Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 5 235H has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6248 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core Ultra 5 235H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 140T Graphics), while the Xeon Gold 6248 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 235H targets Thin-and-light Performance Laptop, Xeon Gold 6248 targets General Purpose Enterprise Server. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 235H rivals Ryzen 7 9800H; Xeon Gold 6248 rivals EPYC 7352.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 235HXeon Gold 6248
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel Arc 140T Graphics
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Thin-and-light Performance Laptop
General Purpose Enterprise Server