Xeon Gold 5416S vs Xeon Gold 6238R

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 5416S vs Xeon Gold 6238R 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 5416S vs Xeon Gold 6238R: 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 5416S

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,167 less on MSRP ($1,445 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Delivers 84.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($1,445 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Draws 150W instead of 165W, a 15W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 39 MB).

Xeon Gold 6238R

2020

Why buy it

✅+28.3% larger total L3 cache (39 MB vs 30 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5416S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,751 vs 35,515).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.3 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($2,612 MSRP vs $1,445 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5416S moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5416S better than Xeon Gold 6238R?

Yes. Xeon Gold 5416S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.2% 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 5416S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 5416S is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5416S is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5416S comes in $1,167 cheaper on MSRP at $1,445 MSRP versus $2,612 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 84.7% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 13.3 PassMark/$), 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 5416S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 28/56. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 5416S vs Xeon Gold 6238R Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 5416S

The Xeon Gold 5416S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 35,515 points. Launch price was $944.

Xeon Gold 6238R

The Xeon Gold 6238R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 34,751 points. Launch price was $2,612.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5416S packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6238R offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Gold 6238R has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5416S versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6238R — identical boost frequencies (base: 2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5416S uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6238R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5416S scores 35,515 against the Xeon Gold 6238R's 34,751 — a 2.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 5416S. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon Gold 5416S vs 38.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6238R.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5416S	Xeon Gold 6238R
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	28 / 56+75%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	30 MB	38.5 MB+28%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	28 MB+1300%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	35,515+2%	34,751
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	21,433

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 5416S uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6238R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4400 on the Xeon Gold 5416S versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6238R — the Xeon Gold 5416S supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5416S supports up to 4096 TB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 409500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 5416S) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6238R). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 5416S) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6238R) — the Xeon Gold 5416S offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA4677 (Xeon Gold 5416S) and C621,C622,C624,C627,C628 (Xeon Gold 6238R).

Feature	Xeon Gold 5416S	Xeon Gold 6238R
Socket	LGA4677	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	4400+50%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	4096 TB+409500%	1 TB
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80+67%	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 (Xeon Gold 5416S) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6238R). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6238R targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5416S rivals EPYC 8124P; Xeon Gold 6238R rivals Xeon Gold 6248R.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5416S	Xeon Gold 6238R
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 5416S was priced at $1445, while the Xeon Gold 6238R came in at $2612. On launch pricing ($1445 vs $2612), Xeon Gold 5416S was $1167 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5416S delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6238R — making the Xeon Gold 5416S the 59.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5416S	Xeon Gold 6238R
MSRP	$1445-45%	$2612
Performance per Dollar	24.6+85%	13.3
Release Date	2023	2020

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