Ryzen 5 5600
Xeon Gold 6138
Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon Gold 6138 Performance Spectrum
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 5600 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Ryzen 5 5600 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.
Ryzen 5 5600
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +13.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $2,413 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 1073.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Xeon Gold 6138.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (8,600 vs 15,439).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6138, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
- ❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.
Xeon Gold 6138
2017Why buy it
- ✅+79.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 24.
- ✅100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($2,612 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Xeon Gold 6138?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon Gold 6138 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 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 Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Xeon Gold 6138's 24,108 — a 11.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,052 vs 1,261, a 47.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,600 vs 15,439 (56.9% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Xeon Gold 6138 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 20 / 40+233% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+19% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+75% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total)+16% | 27.5 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+2460% | 20 MB |
| Process | 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Vermeer (2020−2025) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 21,550 | 24,108+12% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 11,077 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,052+63% | 1,261 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,600 | 15,439+80% |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6138 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6138 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6138). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6138) — the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6138).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Xeon Gold 6138 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200+20% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 768 GB+500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 6+200% |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 48+100% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6138 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6138). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop, Xeon Gold 6138 targets Server.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Xeon Gold 6138 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | Server |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600 was priced at $199, while the Xeon Gold 6138 came in at $2612. On launch pricing ($199 vs $2612), Ryzen 5 5600 was $2413 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6138 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 168.6% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Xeon Gold 6138 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-92% | $2612 |
| Performance per Dollar | 108.3+1077% | 9.2 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2017 |
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