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 E5-2679 v4 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 E5-2679 v4 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 E5-2679 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 28 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,000 vs 15,439).
❌
3.4% HIGHER MSRP
$2,702 MSRPvs$2,612 MSRP
❌60% higher power demand at 200W vs 125W.

Xeon Gold 6138

2017

Why buy it

✅+28.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($2,612 MSRP vs $2,702 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 200W, a 75W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 40) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2679 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (28 MB vs 50 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6138 better than Xeon E5-2679 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2679 v4 is ahead with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6138 pulls ahead with 28.7% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon E5-2679 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 28 MB).

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 28.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads.

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 $90 cheaper on MSRP at $2,612 MSRP versus $2,702 MSRP, and it still gives you 28.7% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2679 v4 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 3.3% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 8.9 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6138 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016), more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 40 threads instead of 20/40, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2679 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6138 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2679 v4

The Xeon E5-2679 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 50 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 24,131 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

Both the Xeon E5-2679 v4 and Xeon Gold 6138 share an identical 20-core/40-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2679 v4 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2679 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2679 v4 scores 24,131 against the Xeon Gold 6138's 24,108 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2679 v4. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,000 vs 1,261, a 23.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,000 vs 15,439 (25.1% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138). L3 cache: 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2679 v4 vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138.

Feature	Xeon E5-2679 v4	Xeon Gold 6138
Cores / Threads	20 / 40	20 / 40
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	50 MB+82%	27.5 MB
L2 Cache	5 MB	20 MB+300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	24,131	24,108
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	1,261+26%
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,000	15,439+29%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2679 v4 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Xeon E5-2679 v4 versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6138 — the Xeon Gold 6138 supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2679 v4 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 768 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2679 v4) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6138). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2679 v4) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6138) — the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2679 v4) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6138).

Feature	Xeon E5-2679 v4	Xeon Gold 6138
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2666+11%
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB+100%	768 GB
RAM Channels	4	6+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	48+20%

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon Gold 6138 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5-2679 v4) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6138). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6138 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-2679 v4	Xeon Gold 6138
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2679 v4 was priced at $2702, while the Xeon Gold 6138 came in at $2612. On launch pricing ($2702 vs $2612), Xeon Gold 6138 was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2679 v4 delivers 8.9 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6138 — making the Xeon Gold 6138 the 3.3% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2679 v4	Xeon Gold 6138
MSRP	$2702	$2612-3%
Performance per Dollar	8.9	9.2+3%
Release Date	2016	2017

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