Xeon Gold 5520+ vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+

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 5520+ vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+ 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 5520+ vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+: 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 5520+

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,524 less on MSRP ($1,083 MSRP vs $2,607 MSRP).
✅Delivers 135.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 56.5 vs 24.0 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $2,607 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6438Y+ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (61,227 vs 62,660).

Xeon Gold 6438Y+

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.0 vs 56.5 PassMark/$ ($2,607 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6438Y+ better than Xeon Gold 5520+?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6438Y+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.3% 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 6438Y+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.0% 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 6438Y+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6438Y+ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 5520+ is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6438Y+ comes in 140.7% more expensive on MSRP at $2,607 MSRP versus $1,083 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 5520+ is also 135.2% better value on MSRP (56.5 vs 24.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6438Y+ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 28/56. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 5520+ vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+ Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 5520+

The Xeon Gold 5520+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 61,227 points. Launch price was $1,640.

Xeon Gold 6438Y+

The Xeon Gold 6438Y+ 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 62,660 points. Launch price was $3,141.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5520+ packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5520+ versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5520+ uses the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5520+ scores 61,227 against the Xeon Gold 6438Y+'s 62,660 — a 2.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438Y+. L3 cache: 52.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5520+ vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5520+	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
Cores / Threads	28 / 56	32 / 64+14%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+10%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	52.5 MB (total)	60 MB+14%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Emerald Rapids (2023)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	61,227	62,660+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	25,000	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA4677 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 4096 GB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 80 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 5520+) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438Y+).

Feature	Xeon Gold 5520+	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
Socket	LGA4677	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	4800
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB	4096 GB
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80	80

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5520+ targets Enterprise Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5520+ rivals EPYC 9354; Xeon Gold 6438Y+ rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5520+	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Enterprise Server	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 5520+ was priced at $1083, while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ came in at $2607. On launch pricing ($1083 vs $2607), Xeon Gold 5520+ was $1524 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5520+ delivers 56.5 pts/$ vs 24.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — making the Xeon Gold 5520+ the 80.7% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5520+	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
MSRP	$1083-58%	$2607
Performance per Dollar	56.5+135%	24.0
Release Date	2023	2023

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