Xeon Gold 6238 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.

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6238

#24

Xeon Gold 6130H

MSRP: $1894|Avg: N/A

120%

#38

Xeon Gold 6238

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#41

Xeon W-2195

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

95%

#50

Xeon Gold 6238R

MSRP: $2612|Avg: N/A

74%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon Platinum 8160

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

452%

#1

Core i9-9990XE

MSRP: $2000|Avg: N/A

3%

#2

Xeon W-11855M

MSRP: $450|Avg: $200

8%

#3

Xeon W-11955M

MSRP: $623|Avg: $450

8%

#4

Xeon W-11865MLE

MSRP: $467|Avg: $350

7%

#4

Xeon Platinum 8160

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#5

Xeon W-11865MRE

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

7%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

85%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

76%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

59%

#16

EPYC 7302

MSRP: $978|Avg: $109

58%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Analysis: Based on specifications, the Xeon Gold 6238 shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.

Insight	Xeon Gold 6238	Xeon Platinum 8160
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Xeon Gold 6238	Xeon Platinum 8160
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon Gold 6238 Benchmark Check

Xeon Platinum 8160 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6238 and Xeon Platinum 8160

Xeon Gold 6238

The Xeon Gold 6238 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 22 cores and 44 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 30.25 MB. L2 cache: 22 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 29,118 points. Launch price was $2,612.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6238 packs 22 cores / 44 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8160 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8160 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6238 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8160 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6238 uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8160 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6238 scores 29,118 against the Xeon Platinum 8160's 28,989 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6238. L3 cache: 30.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 6238 vs 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8160.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6238	Xeon Platinum 8160
Cores / Threads	22 / 44	24 / 48+9%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	30.25 MB	33 MB+9%
L2 Cache	22 MB	24 MB+9%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	29,118	28,989

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6238 versus 2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8160 — the Xeon Gold 6238 supports 9.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6238 supports up to 1024 of RAM compared to 768 — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6238) and C621 (Xeon Platinum 8160).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6238	Xeon Platinum 8160
Socket	LGA3647	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2933+10%	2666
Max RAM Capacity	1024+33%	768
RAM Channels	6	6
ECC Support	✅	✅
PCIe Lanes	48	48

🔧

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. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6238 rivals EPYC 7402; Xeon Platinum 8160 rivals EPYC 7451.