Xeon Gold 6138T vs Core Ultra 9 288V
Xeon Gold 6138T
Core Ultra 9 288V
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 6138T
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 9 288V
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6138T | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($400) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($600) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Lunar Lake (2024) / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6138T | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+51%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($400) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($600) |
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 6138T and Core Ultra 9 288V
Xeon Gold 6138T
The Xeon Gold 6138T 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: 20,356 points. Launch price was $2,742.
Core Ultra 9 288V
The Core Ultra 9 288V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,280 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6138T packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 288V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138T has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138T versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V — a 31.8% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V (base: 2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6138T uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 9 288V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6138T scores 20,356 against the Core Ultra 9 288V's 20,280 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,030 vs 2,800, a 92.4% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,988 vs 10,000 (18.1% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138T). L3 cache: 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138T vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6138T | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 20 / 40+150% | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 5.1 GHz+38% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3.3 GHz+65% |
| L3 Cache | 27.5 MB+129% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 20 MB+700% | 2.5 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 3 nm-79% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Lunar Lake (2024) |
| PassMark | 20,356 | 20,280 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,300 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,030 | 2,800+172% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 11,988+20% | 10,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6138T uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 9 288V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6138T versus LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 9 288V — the Core Ultra 9 288V supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6138T supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 184% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6138T) vs 2 (Core Ultra 9 288V). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6138T) vs 8 (Core Ultra 9 288V) — the Xeon Gold 6138T offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C620 (Xeon Gold 6138T) and SoC (Core Ultra 9 288V).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6138T | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | FCBGA2833 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | LPDDR5X-8533+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 GB+2300% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 6+200% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48+500% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Only the Xeon Gold 6138T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon Gold 6138T) vs true (Core Ultra 9 288V). The Core Ultra 9 288V includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 140V), while the Xeon Gold 6138T requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6138T | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel Arc 140V |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | true |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6138T launched at $2742 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 9 288V debuted at $600. At current prices ($400 vs $600), the Xeon Gold 6138T is $200 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6138T delivers 50.9 pts/$ vs 33.8 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 9 288V — making the Xeon Gold 6138T the 40.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6138T | Core Ultra 9 288V |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2742 | $600-78% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $400-33% | $600 |
| Performance per Dollar | 50.9+51% | 33.8 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2024 |
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