M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6138

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar M3 Pro 12-Core

#206

M3 Pro 12-Core

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6138

#485

Xeon Gold 6258R

MSRP: $3950|Avg: $1400

111%

#486

EPYC 9175F

MSRP: $4256|Avg: $3703

111%

#488

EPYC 9534

MSRP: $8803|Avg: $2999

110%

#489

EPYC 9654

MSRP: $11805|Avg: $5345

109%

#490

EPYC 7H12

MSRP: $6950|Avg: $1340

109%

#491

EPYC 7742

MSRP: $6950|Avg: $800

108%

#492

Xeon Platinum 8352M

MSRP: $4471|Avg: $4471

108%

#493

Xeon Platinum 8570

MSRP: $9595|Avg: $9595

106%

#494

EPYC 9184X

MSRP: $4928|Avg: $3750

105%

#495

Xeon Platinum 8470

MSRP: $9359|Avg: $9359

104%

#496

Xeon E7-8857 v2

MSRP: $3838|Avg: $2995

102%

#497

Xeon Gold 6148

MSRP: $3072|Avg: $290

102%

#498

Xeon E5-1681 V3

MSRP: $1589|Avg: $200

101%

#499

Xeon W-3275

MSRP: $4449|Avg: $1550

101%

#500

Xeon Gold 6138

MSRP: $2612|Avg: $300

100%

#501

Xeon E5-2690 v4

MSRP: $2090|Avg: $389

100%

#502

Xeon Platinum 8362

MSRP: $6236|Avg: $5740

99%

#503

Xeon W-3275M

MSRP: $4449|Avg: $4449

98%

#504

Xeon E5-2660 v3

MSRP: $1445|Avg: $150

98%

#505

Xeon E5-2679 v4

MSRP: $2702|Avg: $500

97%

#506

Xeon E5-2680 v3

MSRP: $1745|Avg: $212

92%

#507

Xeon Platinum 8562Y+

MSRP: $5945|Avg: $7000

91%

#508

Xeon E7-8895 v2

MSRP: $6841|Avg: $65

91%

#509

EPYC 9754

MSRP: $11900|Avg: $10631

90%

#509

EPYC 9684X

MSRP: $14756|Avg: $14756

90%

#511

Xeon D-1587

MSRP: $1652|Avg: $1443

89%

#512

Xeon E5-2687W v4

MSRP: $2141|Avg: $1138

89%

#513

Xeon W-3265

MSRP: $3684|Avg: $3400

89%

#514

Xeon E5-2658A V3

MSRP: $1832|Avg: $200

88%

#515

Xeon E5-4640 v4

MSRP: $2837|Avg: N/A

86%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The M3 Pro 12-Core (2023) utilizes 3 nm technology and LPDDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	M3 Pro 12-Core	Xeon Gold 6138
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($300)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm)	✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon Gold 6138 (2017) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-2666, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	M3 Pro 12-Core	Xeon Gold 6138
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($300)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

M3 Pro 12-Core Benchmark Check

Xeon Gold 6138 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Gold 6138

M3 Pro 12-Core

The M3 Pro 12-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.748 GHz, with boost up to 4.06 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,170 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon Gold 6138

The Xeon Gold 6138 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: 24,108 points. Launch price was $2,612.

⚡

Processing Power

The M3 Pro 12-Core packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 — a 9.3% clock advantage for the M3 Pro 12-Core (base: 2.748 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6138 is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 12-Core scores 24,170 against the Xeon Gold 6138's 24,108 — a 0.3% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.

Feature	M3 Pro 12-Core	Xeon Gold 6138
Cores / Threads	12 / 12	20 / 40+67%
Boost Clock	4.06 GHz+10%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.748 GHz+37%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	27.5 MB
L2 Cache	—	20 MB
Process	3 nm-79%	14 nm
Architecture	—	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	24,170	24,108
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,261
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,439

🧠

Memory & Platform

The M3 Pro 12-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	M3 Pro 12-Core	Xeon Gold 6138
Socket	none	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	6
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	48