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.

Xeon Gold 6238 vs Xeon Platinum 8160 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 6238 vs Xeon Platinum 8160: 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 6238

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 140W instead of 150W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Platinum 8160 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon Platinum 8160

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (28,989 vs 29,118).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6238 better than Xeon Platinum 8160?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Platinum 8160 is ahead with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6238 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6238 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 22 cores and 44 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6238 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Gold 6238 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Xeon Gold 6238 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 22 cores / 44 threads instead of 24/48. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6238 vs Xeon Platinum 8160 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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 10% 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 — 33.3% 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	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	48

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