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.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6138 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.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6138: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

M3 Pro 12-Core

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6138, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6138

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than M3 Pro 12-Core across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,108 vs 24,170).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,612 MSRP, while M3 Pro 12-Core mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while M3 Pro 12-Core moves to none and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is M3 Pro 12-Core better than Xeon Gold 6138?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6138 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M3 Pro 12-Core is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, M3 Pro 12-Core is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% 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, M3 Pro 12-Core is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

M3 Pro 12-Core is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6138 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M3 Pro 12-Core comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,612 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6138 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

M3 Pro 12-Core makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA3647, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 20/40. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6138 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	48