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 Platinum 8160M 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 Platinum 8160M: 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

✅Better for gaming: +12.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+27.3% larger total L3 cache (42 MB vs 33 MB).
✅Costs $1,417 less on MSRP ($3,583 MSRP vs $5,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.5 vs 10.6 PassMark/$ ($3,583 MSRP vs $5,000 MSRP).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (51,843 vs 53,158).
❌56.7% higher power demand at 235W vs 150W.

Xeon Platinum 8160M

2017

Why buy it

✅+2.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 150W instead of 235W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6348 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 42 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.6 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($5,000 MSRP vs $3,583 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6348 better than Xeon Platinum 8160M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6348 is ahead with a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8160M pulls ahead with 2.5% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6348 also has the bigger cache pool with 27.3% larger total L3 cache (42 MB vs 33 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8160M is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.5% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6348 is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6348 comes in $1,417 cheaper on MSRP at $3,583 MSRP versus $5,000 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8160M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.5% better PassMark. It is also 36.1% better value on MSRP (14.5 vs 10.6 PassMark/$), 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 6348 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017) and 27.3% larger total L3 cache (42 MB vs 33 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Gold 6348 vs Xeon Platinum 8160M 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 Platinum 8160M

The Xeon Platinum 8160M 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: 53,158 points. Launch price was $7,704.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6348 packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8160M offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 6348 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6348 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8160M — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8160M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6348 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8160M uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6348 scores 51,843 against the Xeon Platinum 8160M's 53,158 — a 2.5% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8160M. L3 cache: 42 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6348 vs 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8160M.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6348	Xeon Platinum 8160M
Cores / Threads	28 / 56+17%	24 / 48
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+24%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	42 MB (total)+27%	33 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	24 MB+2300%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-SP (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	51,843	53,158+3%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	850
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,000

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6348 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8160M uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6348 versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8160M — the Xeon Gold 6348 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6348 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1536 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6348) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8160M). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6348) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8160M) — the Xeon Gold 6348 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6348) and C621 (Xeon Platinum 8160M).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6348	Xeon Platinum 8160M
Socket	LGA4189	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB+167%	1536 GB
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64+33%	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. Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8160M targets Datacenter. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6348 rivals EPYC 7543; Xeon Platinum 8160M rivals EPYC 7401.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6348	Xeon Platinum 8160M
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	—	Datacenter

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6348 was priced at $3583, while the Xeon Platinum 8160M came in at $5000. On launch pricing ($3583 vs $5000), Xeon Gold 6348 was $1417 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6348 delivers 14.5 pts/$ vs 10.6 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8160M — making the Xeon Gold 6348 the 30.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6348	Xeon Platinum 8160M
MSRP	$3583-28%	$5000
Performance per Dollar	14.5+37%	10.6
Release Date	2021	2017

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