Xeon Gold 5318H vs Xeon Platinum 8160

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 Gold 5318H vs Xeon Platinum 8160 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 Gold 5318H vs Xeon Platinum 8160: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon Gold 5318H

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 33 MB).

Xeon Platinum 8160

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (28,989 vs 29,301).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5318H better than Xeon Platinum 8160?

Yes. Xeon Gold 5318H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 5318H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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 5318H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5318H still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Gold 5318H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon Gold 5318H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 18 cores / 36 threads instead of 24/48. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 5318H vs Xeon Platinum 8160 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 5318H

The Xeon Gold 5318H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Cooper Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 RDIMM. Passmark benchmark score: 29,301 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Platinum 8160

The Xeon Platinum 8160 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 28,989 points. Launch price was $4,702.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5318H packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8160 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8160 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5318H versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8160 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5318H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5318H uses the Cooper Lake-SP (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8160 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5318H scores 29,301 against the Xeon Platinum 8160's 28,989 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 5318H. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5318H vs 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8160.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5318H	Xeon Platinum 8160
Cores / Threads	18 / 36	24 / 48+33%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+3%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	33 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	24 MB+2300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cooper Lake-SP (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	29,301+1%	28,989
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,063	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 5318H uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8160 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2667 on the Xeon Gold 5318H versus 2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8160 — the Xeon Gold 5318H supports 0% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5318H supports up to 1152 GB of RAM compared to 768 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C620 Series (Xeon Gold 5318H) and C621 (Xeon Platinum 8160).

Feature	Xeon Gold 5318H	Xeon Platinum 8160
Socket	LGA4189	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2667	2666
Max RAM Capacity	1152 GB+50%	768 GB
RAM Channels	6	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	48

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 5318H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Platinum 8160). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5318H targets Cloud Infrastructure / Virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5318H rivals EPYC 7352; Xeon Platinum 8160 rivals EPYC 7451.