Core Ultra 5 238V vs Xeon W-1290T

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 W-1290T 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 W-1290T: 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

✅Costs $92 less on MSRP ($454 MSRP vs $546 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.1 vs 33.7 PassMark/$ ($454 MSRP vs $546 MSRP).
✅Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,219 vs 18,409).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-1290T, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon W-1290T

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.7 vs 40.1 PassMark/$ ($546 MSRP vs $454 MSRP).
❌105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 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 W-1290T better than Core Ultra 5 238V?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1290T 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 W-1290T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.2% 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 W-1290T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon W-1290T is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon W-1290T comes in 20.3% more expensive on MSRP at $546 MSRP versus $454 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.2% 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 7.2% 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 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 238V vs Xeon W-1290T 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 W-1290T

The Xeon W-1290T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 18,409 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 238V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W-1290T offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon W-1290T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 238V versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-1290T — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 238V is built on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 238V scores 18,219 against the Xeon W-1290T's 18,409 — a 1% lead for the Xeon W-1290T. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 238V vs 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon W-1290T.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Xeon W-1290T
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+11%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	20 MB Intel® Smart Cache+150%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)	—
Process	3 nm-79%	14 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	—
PassMark	18,219	18,409+1%
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 W-1290T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Xeon W-1290T
Socket	FCBGA2833	LGA1200
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 W-1290T). The Core Ultra 5 238V includes integrated graphics (Arc Graphics 130V), while the Xeon W-1290T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 238V targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 238V rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Xeon W-1290T
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Arc Graphics 130V	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Productivity	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 238V was priced at $454, while the Xeon W-1290T came in at $546. On launch pricing ($454 vs $546), Core Ultra 5 238V was $92 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 238V delivers 40.1 pts/$ vs 33.7 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1290T — making the Core Ultra 5 238V the 17.4% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Xeon W-1290T
MSRP	$454-17%	$546
Performance per Dollar	40.1+19%	33.7
Release Date	2024	2020

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