Xeon Platinum 8160M vs Xeon Gold 6438N
Xeon Platinum 8160M
Xeon Gold 6438N
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 Platinum 8160M
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6438N
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Platinum 8160M | Xeon Gold 6438N |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($350) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,351) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Platinum 8160M | Xeon Gold 6438N |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+864%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($350) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,351) |
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 Platinum 8160M and Xeon Gold 6438N
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Xeon Platinum 8160M 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 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8160M versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438N — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8160M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8160M uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6438N uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Platinum 8160M scores 53,158 against the Xeon Gold 6438N's 52,789 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8160M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 850 vs 1,500, a 55.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438N that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,000 vs 20,000 (28.6% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6438N). L3 cache: 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8160M vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438N.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8160M | Xeon Gold 6438N |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48 | 32 / 64+33% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+3% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz+5% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 33 MB | 60 MB+82% |
| L2 Cache | 24 MB+1100% | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 53,158 | 52,789 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 850 | 1,500+76% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,000 | 20,000+33% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Platinum 8160M uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6438N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8160M versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438N — the Xeon Gold 6438N supports 22.2% 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 1536 GB — 90.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Platinum 8160M) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6438N). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Platinum 8160M) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6438N) — the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Platinum 8160M) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438N).
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8160M | Xeon Gold 6438N |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | LGA4677 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR5-4800+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1536 GB | 4096 GB+167% |
| RAM Channels | 6 | 8+33% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48 | 80+67% |
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, Xeon Gold 6438N targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Platinum 8160M rivals EPYC 7401; Xeon Gold 6438N rivals EPYC 9354.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8160M | 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 | Datacenter | Server |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Platinum 8160M launched at $5000 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6438N debuted at $3351. At current prices ($350 vs $3351), the Xeon Platinum 8160M is $3001 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Platinum 8160M delivers 151.9 pts/$ vs 15.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6438N — making the Xeon Platinum 8160M the 162.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8160M | Xeon Gold 6438N |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $5000 | $3351-33% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $350-90% | $3351 |
| Performance per Dollar | 151.9+861% | 15.8 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2023 |
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