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 9 288V 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 Ultra 9 288V 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 Ultra 9 288V

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,142 less on MSRP ($600 MSRP vs $2,742 MSRP).
✅Delivers 355.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 33.8 vs 7.4 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $2,742 MSRP).
✅Draws 30W instead of 125W, a 95W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (10,000 vs 11,988).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 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

✅+19.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+129.2% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 8.
✅500% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 288V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.4 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($2,742 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
❌316.7% higher power demand at 125W vs 30W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 9 288V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 9 288V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 288V 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 Ultra 9 288V 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 19.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 129.2% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 9 288V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 9 288V comes in $2,142 cheaper on MSRP at $600 MSRP versus $2,742 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6138T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 19.9% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 355.3% better value on MSRP (33.8 vs 7.4 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 9 288V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Xeon Gold 6138T Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 9 288V

The Core Ultra 9 288V 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,280 points. Launch price was $299.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 9 288V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138T has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138T — a 31.8% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138T uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 288V scores 20,280 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 2,800 vs 1,030, a 92.4% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,000 vs 11,988 (18.1% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138T.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Xeon Gold 6138T
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	20 / 40+150%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+38%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+65%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	27.5 MB+129%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)	20 MB+700%
Process	3 nm-79%	14 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	20,280	20,356
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,300	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,800+172%	1,030
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,000	11,988+20%

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the FCBGA2833 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 LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6138T — the Core Ultra 9 288V supports 220.1% 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 32 GB — 2300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 9 288V) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6138T). PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 9 288V) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6138T) — the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 9 288V) and C620 (Xeon Gold 6138T).

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Xeon Gold 6138T
Socket	FCBGA2833	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533+220%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	768 GB+2300%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	8	48+500%

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon Gold 6138T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core Ultra 9 288V) vs Yes (Xeon Gold 6138T). The Core Ultra 9 288V includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 140V), while the Xeon Gold 6138T requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Xeon Gold 6138T
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel Arc 140V	—
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 9 288V was priced at $600, while the Xeon Gold 6138T came in at $2742. On launch pricing ($600 vs $2742), Core Ultra 9 288V was $2142 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 9 288V delivers 33.8 pts/$ vs 7.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6138T — making the Core Ultra 9 288V the 128% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Xeon Gold 6138T
MSRP	$600-78%	$2742
Performance per Dollar	33.8+357%	7.4
Release Date	2024	2017

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