Xeon Gold 6418H 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 6418H 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 6418H 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 6418H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 185W instead of 205W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (51,711 vs 52,789).

Xeon Gold 6438N

2023

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6418H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $3,351 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6418H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6438N better than Xeon Gold 6418H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6418H is ahead with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6438N pulls ahead with 2.1% better PassMark.

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 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.

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 at an unclear MSRP at $3,351 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6418H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 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 6418H vs Xeon Gold 6438N Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6418H

The Xeon Gold 6418H 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 51,711 points. Launch price was $2,065.

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 6418H packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6418H versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438N — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6418H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2 GHz). Both are built on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6418H scores 51,711 against the Xeon Gold 6438N's 52,789 — a 2.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438N. Both processors carry 60 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6418H	Xeon Gold 6438N
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	32 / 64+33%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+5%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	60 MB	60 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	51,711	52,789+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,500
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	20,000

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA4677 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 5200 on the Xeon Gold 6418H versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438N — the Xeon Gold 6418H supports 8.3% 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. Both provide 80 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 6418H) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438N).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6418H	Xeon Gold 6438N
Socket	LGA4677	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	5200+8%	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB	4096 GB
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80	80

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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 6418H rivals EPYC 9384X; Xeon Gold 6438N rivals EPYC 9354.