Ryzen 5 5500X3D vs Xeon Gold 6138T

Ryzen 5 5500X3D vs Xeon Gold 6138T Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 5500X3D

6 / 12

20,231

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon Gold 6138T

20 / 40

20,356

+0.6%

About PassMark

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.

Ryzen 5 5500X3D 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.

Ryzen 5 5500X3D 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.

Ryzen 5 5500X3D

2025

Why buy it

✅+249.1% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 28 MB).
✅Costs $2,557 less on MSRP ($185 MSRP vs $2,742 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1373.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 109.4 vs 7.4 PassMark/$ ($185 MSRP vs $2,742 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6138T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,231 vs 20,356).
❌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

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅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.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (28 MB vs 96 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.4 vs 109.4 PassMark/$ ($2,742 MSRP vs $185 MSRP).
❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6138T better than Ryzen 5 5500X3D?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6138T makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5500X3D 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 Gold 6138T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.8% 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 Gold 6138T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6138T is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5500X3D is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6138T comes in 1382.2% more expensive on MSRP at $2,742 MSRP versus $185 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5500X3D is also 1373.1% better value on MSRP (109.4 vs 7.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 5500X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2017) and 249.1% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 28 MB). That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Ryzen 5 5500X3D vs Xeon Gold 6138T Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 5500X3D

The Ryzen 5 5500X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 June 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,231 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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5500X3D packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138T has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500X3D versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138T — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5500X3D (base: 3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138T uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores 20,231 against the Xeon Gold 6138T's 20,356 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138T. L3 cache: 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5500X3D vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138T.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500X3D	Xeon Gold 6138T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	20 / 40+233%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+8%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+50%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	96 MB (total)+249%	27.5 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	20 MB+3900%
Process	7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (2020−2025)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	20,231	20,356
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,030
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,988

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138T uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500X3D	Xeon Gold 6138T
Socket	AM4	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	6
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 5500X3D) / Yes (Xeon Gold 6138T).

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500X3D	Xeon Gold 6138T
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	Yes

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5500X3D was priced at $185, while the Xeon Gold 6138T came in at $2742. On launch pricing ($185 vs $2742), Ryzen 5 5500X3D was $2557 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5500X3D delivers 109.4 pts/$ vs 7.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6138T — making the Ryzen 5 5500X3D the 174.6% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500X3D	Xeon Gold 6138T
MSRP	$185-93%	$2742
Performance per Dollar	109.4+1378%	7.4
Release Date	2025	2017

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