CPU
GPU
Xeon Gold 6138
Core i5-10400F
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6138
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6138 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6138 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+59%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6138 and Core i5-10400F
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.
Core i5-10400F
The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6138 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 15% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6138 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6138 scores 24,108 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 59.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,261 vs 1,454, a 14.2% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,439 vs 5,783 (91% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138). L3 cache: 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6138 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 20 / 40+233% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.3 GHz+16% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.9 GHz+45% |
| L3 Cache | 27.5 MB+129% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 20 MB+7900% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 24,108+85% | 13,029 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 8,191 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,261 | 1,454+15% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,439+167% | 5,783 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6138 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6138 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6138) vs 2 (Core i5-10400F). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6138) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6138) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6138 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 GB+500% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 6+200% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48+200% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6138 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6138 targets Server, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6138 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Server | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6138 launched at $2612 MSRP, while the Core i5-10400F debuted at $160. At current prices ($300 vs $102), the Core i5-10400F is $198 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6138 delivers 80.4 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 45.5% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6138 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2612 | $160-94% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $300 | $102-66% |
| Performance per Dollar | 80.4 | 127.7+59% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2020 |
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