Core Ultra 5 238V vs Xeon E7-8880 v3

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 238V vs Xeon E7-8880 v3 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 238V vs Xeon E7-8880 v3: 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 238V

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 140W, a 123W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Graphics 130V, while Xeon E7-8880 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E7-8880 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,219 vs 18,244).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 45 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E7-8880 v3, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $454 MSRP, while Xeon E7-8880 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E7-8880 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+462.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 threads.

Trade-offs

❌723.5% higher power demand at 140W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 238V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 238V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E7-8880 v3 better than Core Ultra 5 238V?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E7-8880 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 238V 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 E7-8880 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.2% 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 E7-8880 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 462.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E7-8880 v3 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon E7-8880 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $454 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 238V only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 6.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core Ultra 5 238V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2015) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 238V vs Xeon E7-8880 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 5 238V

The Core Ultra 5 238V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,219 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E7-8880 v3

The Xeon E7-8880 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EX (2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,244 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 238V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E7-8880 v3 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E7-8880 v3 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 238V versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E7-8880 v3 — a 41% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 238V (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 238V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon E7-8880 v3 uses Haswell-EX (2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 238V scores 18,219 against the Xeon E7-8880 v3's 18,244 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E7-8880 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 238V vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E7-8880 v3.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Xeon E7-8880 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	18 / 36+125%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+52%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.3 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	45 MB (total)+463%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)+900%	256 kB (per core)
Process	3 nm-86%	22 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Haswell-EX (2015)
PassMark	18,219	18,244
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,683	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,130	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 238V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E7-8880 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Xeon E7-8880 v3
Socket	FCBGA2833	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5x-8533	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 238V) / not specified (Xeon E7-8880 v3). The Core Ultra 5 238V includes integrated graphics (Arc Graphics 130V), while the Xeon E7-8880 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 238V targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 238V rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.