Xeon Gold 6248 vs Core i9-9980XE
Xeon Gold 6248
Core i9-9980XE
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 6248
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9980XE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6248 | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($593) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6248 | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($593) |
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 6248 and Core i9-9980XE
Xeon Gold 6248
The Xeon Gold 6248 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 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 29,535 points. Launch price was $3,072.
Core i9-9980XE
The Core i9-9980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 29,127 points. Launch price was $1,979.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6248 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Core i9-9980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon Gold 6248 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6248 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9980XE — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-9980XE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6248 uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-9980XE uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6248 scores 29,535 against the Core i9-9980XE's 29,127 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6248. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 19,000 vs 22,000 (14.6% advantage for the Core i9-9980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,327 vs 1,459, a 9.5% lead for the Core i9-9980XE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,277 vs 12,177 (22.6% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6248). L3 cache: 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6248 vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-9980XE.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6248 | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 20 / 40+11% | 18 / 36 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.5 GHz+15% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 27.5 MB+11% | 24.75 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 20 MB+1900% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 29,535+1% | 29,127 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 19,000 | 22,000+16% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,327 | 1,459+10% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,277+25% | 12,177 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6248 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-9980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6248 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6248) vs 4 (Core i9-9980XE). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6248) vs 44 (Core i9-9980XE) — the Xeon Gold 6248 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C620 (Xeon Gold 6248) and X299 (Core i9-9980XE).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6248 | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1024 GB+700% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 6+50% | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48+9% | 44 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-9980XE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6248) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9980XE). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6248 targets General Purpose Enterprise Server, Core i9-9980XE targets HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6248 rivals EPYC 7352; Core i9-9980XE rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6248 | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | General Purpose Enterprise Server | HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation |
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