Xeon Gold 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6438N

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 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6438N 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 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6438N: 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 6348

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (51,843 vs 52,789).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (42 MB vs 60 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.5 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($3,583 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6438N moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6438N

2023

Why buy it

✅+42.9% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 42 MB).
✅Costs $232 less on MSRP ($3,351 MSRP vs $3,583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 8.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.8 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($3,351 MSRP vs $3,583 MSRP).
✅Draws 205W instead of 235W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6438N better than Xeon Gold 6348?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6438N is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6438N is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.6% 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 Gold 6438N is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 42.9% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 42 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6438N is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6438N comes in $232 cheaper on MSRP at $3,351 MSRP versus $3,583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 8.9% better value on MSRP (15.8 vs 14.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6438N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA4189, 42.9% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 42 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 28/56. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6438N Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6348

The Xeon Gold 6348 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 42 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 235 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 51,843 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Gold 6438N

The Xeon Gold 6438N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 52,789 points. Launch price was $3,351.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6348 packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438N has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6348 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438N — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6438N (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6348 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6438N uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6348 scores 51,843 against the Xeon Gold 6438N's 52,789 — a 1.8% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438N. L3 cache: 42 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6348 vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438N.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6348	Xeon Gold 6438N
Cores / Threads	28 / 56	32 / 64+14%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+30%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	42 MB (total)	60 MB+43%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Ice Lake-SP (2021)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	51,843	52,789+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,500
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	20,000

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6348 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6438N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6348 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438N — the Xeon Gold 6438N supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 GB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6348) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6438N) — the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6348) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438N).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6348	Xeon Gold 6438N
Socket	LGA4189	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	3200	DDR5-4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB	4096 GB
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	80+25%

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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. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6438N targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6348 rivals EPYC 7543; Xeon Gold 6438N rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6348	Xeon Gold 6438N
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6348 was priced at $3583, while the Xeon Gold 6438N came in at $3351. On launch pricing ($3583 vs $3351), Xeon Gold 6438N was $232 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6348 delivers 14.5 pts/$ vs 15.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6438N — making the Xeon Gold 6438N the 8.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6348	Xeon Gold 6438N
MSRP	$3583	$3351-6%
Performance per Dollar	14.5	15.8+9%
Release Date	2021	2023

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