Xeon Gold 6438N vs Ryzen 9 7940HX
Xeon Gold 6438N
Ryzen 9 7940HX
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 6438N
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6438N | Ryzen 9 7940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,351) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024) / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6438N | Ryzen 9 7940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,351) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 6438N and Ryzen 9 7940HX
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.
Ryzen 9 7940HX
The Ryzen 9 7940HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2024-01-01. It is based on the Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 53,628 points. Launch price was $600.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6438N packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7940HX offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438N versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7940HX — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7940HX (base: 2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6438N uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 7940HX uses Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6438N scores 52,789 against the Ryzen 9 7940HX's 53,628 — a 1.6% lead for the Ryzen 9 7940HX. L3 cache: 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438N vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 7940HX.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6438N | Ryzen 9 7940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 32 / 64+100% | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 5.2 GHz+44% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.4 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 60 MB | 64 MB (total)+7% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 5 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) | Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 52,789 | 53,628+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 20,000 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6438N uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 7940HX uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438N versus 5200 on the Ryzen 9 7940HX — the Ryzen 9 7940HX supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6438N supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6438N) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 7940HX). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 6438N) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 7940HX) — the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 52 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 6438N) and FL1 (Ryzen 9 7940HX).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6438N | Ryzen 9 7940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | FL1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | 5200+103900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 GB+3355443100% | 128 |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 80+186% | 28 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 7940HX 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 (Xeon Gold 6438N) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 9 7940HX). The Ryzen 9 7940HX includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon 610M), while the Xeon Gold 6438N requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6438N targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6438N rivals EPYC 9354; Ryzen 9 7940HX rivals Core i9-13900HX.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6438N | Ryzen 9 7940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | AMD Radeon 610M |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V |
| Target Use | Server | — |
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