Xeon D-2766NT 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.

Xeon D-2766NT 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.

Xeon D-2766NT 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.

Xeon D-2766NT

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 97W instead of 125W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6138 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,013 vs 24,108).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 28 MB).

Xeon Gold 6138

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 20 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $2,612 MSRP, while Xeon D-2766NT mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌28.9% higher power demand at 125W vs 97W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6138 better than Xeon D-2766NT?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6138 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6138 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% 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, Xeon Gold 6138 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6138 is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6138 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,612 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon D-2766NT makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-2766NT vs Xeon Gold 6138 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-2766NT

The Xeon D-2766NT is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2579. Thermal design power (TDP): 97 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,013 points. Launch price was $800.

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 Xeon D-2766NT packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon D-2766NT versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 — a 17.6% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138 (base: 2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6138 is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon D-2766NT scores 24,013 against the Xeon Gold 6138's 24,108 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138. L3 cache: 20 MB on the Xeon D-2766NT vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138.

Feature	Xeon D-2766NT	Xeon Gold 6138
Cores / Threads	14 / 28	20 / 40+43%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB	27.5 MB+38%
L2 Cache	—	20 MB
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	—	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	24,013	24,108
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,261
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,439

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-2766NT uses the FCBGA2579 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-2766NT	Xeon Gold 6138
Socket	FCBGA2579	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