Xeon Gold 6238R vs Xeon W-3265M

Intel

Xeon Gold 6238R

28 Cores56 Thrd165 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
VS
Intel

Xeon W-3265M

24 Cores48 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2019

Xeon Gold 6238R vs Xeon W-3265M Performance Spectrum

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.

Xeon Gold 6238R vs Xeon W-3265M 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 6238R vs Xeon W-3265M: 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 6238R

2020

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $3,688 less on MSRP ($2,612 MSRP vs $6,300 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 136.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.3 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($2,612 MSRP vs $6,300 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 165W instead of 205W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3265M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (34,751 vs 35,506).

Xeon W-3265M

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($6,300 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
  • ❌24.2% higher power demand at 205W vs 165W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-3265M better than Xeon Gold 6238R?
Yes. Xeon W-3265M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 2.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-3265M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.1% 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 W-3265M is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon W-3265M is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6238R is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon W-3265M comes in 141.2% more expensive on MSRP at $6,300 MSRP versus $2,612 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6238R is also 136.1% better value on MSRP (13.3 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), 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 6238R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Gold 6238R vs Xeon W-3265M Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon Gold 6238R

The Xeon Gold 6238R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 34,751 points. Launch price was $2,612.

Intel

Xeon W-3265M

The Xeon W-3265M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 35,506 points. Launch price was $6,353.

⚑

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6238R packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon W-3265M offers 24 cores / 48 threads β€” the Xeon Gold 6238R has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6238R versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon W-3265M β€” a 14% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3265M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6238R scores 34,751 against the Xeon W-3265M's 35,506 β€” a 2.1% lead for the Xeon W-3265M. L3 cache: 38.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6238R vs 33 MB on the Xeon W-3265M.

FeatureXeon Gold 6238RXeon W-3265M
Cores / Threads
28 / 56+17%
24 / 48
Boost Clock
4 GHz
4.6 GHz+15%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
2.7 GHz+23%
L3 Cache
38.5 MB+17%
33 MB
L2 Cache
28 MB+17%
24 MB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020)
Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020)
PassMark
34,751
35,506+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi
21,433
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. The Xeon W-3265M supports up to 1024 TB of RAM compared to 1 TB β€” 102300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6238R) vs 64 (Xeon W-3265M) β€” the Xeon W-3265M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621,C622,C624,C627,C628 (Xeon Gold 6238R) and C620 (Xeon W-3265M).

FeatureXeon Gold 6238RXeon W-3265M
Socket
LGA3647
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
2933
Max RAM Capacity
1 TB
1024 TB+102300%
RAM Channels
6
6
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48
64+33%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6238R) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-3265M). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6238R targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6238R rivals Xeon Gold 6248R; Xeon W-3265M rivals EPYC 7402.

FeatureXeon Gold 6238RXeon W-3265M
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
β€”
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Server
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6238R was priced at $2612, while the Xeon W-3265M came in at $6300. On launch pricing ($2612 vs $6300), Xeon Gold 6238R was $3688 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6238R delivers 13.3 pts/$ vs 5.6 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3265M β€” making the Xeon Gold 6238R the 81% better value option.

FeatureXeon Gold 6238RXeon W-3265M
MSRP
$2612-59%
$6300
Performance per Dollar
13.3+138%
5.6
Release Date
2020
2019

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