Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs Xeon Gold 6138

Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs Xeon Gold 6138 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Z2 Extreme

8 / 16

24,177

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon Gold 6138

20 / 40

24,108

0.0%

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 Z2 Extreme 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.

Ryzen Z2 Extreme 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 Z2 Extreme

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 8W instead of 125W, a 117W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 28 MB).
❌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

✅+71.9% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 16 MB).
✅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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Z2 Extreme across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,108 vs 24,177).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,612 MSRP, while Ryzen Z2 Extreme mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1462.5% higher power demand at 125W vs 8W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Ryzen Z2 Extreme moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z2 Extreme 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 Ryzen Z2 Extreme 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 Z2 Extreme is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.2% 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 Z2 Extreme is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen Z2 Extreme is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6138 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen Z2 Extreme comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,612 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6138 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Ryzen Z2 Extreme makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 20/40. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs Xeon Gold 6138 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen Z2 Extreme

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Point (Zen 5) (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,177 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 Ryzen Z2 Extreme packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 — a 29.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z2 Extreme (base: 2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen Z2 Extreme uses the Strix Point (Zen 5) (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme scores 24,177 against the Xeon Gold 6138's 24,108 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen Z2 Extreme. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138.

Feature	Ryzen Z2 Extreme	Xeon Gold 6138
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	20 / 40+150%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+35%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB	27.5 MB+72%
L2 Cache	8 MB	20 MB+150%
Process	4 nm-71%	14 nm
Architecture	Strix Point (Zen 5) (2025)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	24,177	24,108
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,261
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,439

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme uses the FP8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.