Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Xeon Gold 6238

AMD

Ryzen 9 8945HS

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2023
VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6238

22 Cores44 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2019

Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Xeon Gold 6238 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 9 8945HS vs Xeon Gold 6238 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 9 8945HS vs Xeon Gold 6238: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 9 8945HS

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +36.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Xeon Gold 6238 needs a discrete GPU.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Xeon Gold 6238.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6238, which brings 22 cores / 44 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6238

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…+89.1% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 22 cores / 44 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 20.
  • βœ…140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 8945HS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (29,118 vs 29,584).
  • ❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.
  • ❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 8945HS moves to FP8 and DDR5.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 8945HS can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 8945HS better than Xeon Gold 6238?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6238 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 9 8945HS is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 8945HS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 36.4% 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, Ryzen 9 8945HS is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 8945HS still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 9 8945HS comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 36.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 8945HS makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 22/44. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Xeon Gold 6238 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 9 8945HS

The Ryzen 9 8945HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023βˆ’2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 29,584 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6238

The Xeon Gold 6238 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 22 cores and 44 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 30.25 MB. L2 cache: 22 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 29,118 points. Launch price was $2,612.

⚑

Processing Power

The Ryzen 9 8945HS packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6238 offers 22 cores / 44 threads β€” the Xeon Gold 6238 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 8945HS versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6238 β€” a 33.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945HS (base: 4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Ryzen 9 8945HS uses the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023βˆ’2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6238 uses Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 8945HS scores 29,584 against the Xeon Gold 6238's 29,118 β€” a 1.6% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945HS. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 8945HS vs 30.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 6238.

FeatureRyzen 9 8945HSXeon Gold 6238
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
22 / 44+175%
Boost Clock
5.2 GHz+41%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
4 GHz+90%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
30.25 MB+89%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
22 MB+2100%
Process
4 nm-71%
14 nm
Architecture
Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023βˆ’2024)
Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020)
PassMark
29,584+2%
29,118
Cinebench R23 Multi
17,200
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
2,686
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
13,283
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 9 8945HS uses the FP8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6238 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-7500, DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 8945HS versus 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6238 β€” the Ryzen 9 8945HS supports 155.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6238 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB β€” 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 9 8945HS) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6238). PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 9 8945HS) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6238) β€” the Xeon Gold 6238 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FP7,FP8 (Ryzen 9 8945HS) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6238).

FeatureRyzen 9 8945HSXeon Gold 6238
Socket
FP8
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5x-7500, DDR5-5600+156%
2933
Max RAM Capacity
256 GB
1024 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
6+200%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
48+140%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 8945HS has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 9 8945HS) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6238). The Ryzen 9 8945HS includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Xeon Gold 6238 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 8945HS targets Premium Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 8945HS rivals Core Ultra 9 185H; Xeon Gold 6238 rivals EPYC 7402.

FeatureRyzen 9 8945HSXeon Gold 6238
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon 780M
None
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Premium Performance Laptop
β€”