EPYC 7D12 vs Xeon Gold 6338N

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7D12

32 Cores64 Thrd85 WWMax: 3 GHz2020

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6338N

32 Cores64 Thrd185 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021

Similar parts

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EPYC 7D12 vs Xeon Gold 6338N Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7D12

32 / 64

42,285

+0.5%

Ryzen 7 7735H

Ryzen 5 7600X

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

Ryzen 7 9700X

Ryzen 9 7945HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Xeon Gold 6338N

32 / 64

42,086

0.0%

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.

EPYC 7D12 vs Xeon Gold 6338N 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.

EPYC 7D12 vs Xeon Gold 6338N: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

EPYC 7D12

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $2,200 less on MSRP ($1,000 MSRP vs $3,200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 221.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.3 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($1,000 MSRP vs $3,200 MSRP).
✅Draws 85W instead of 185W, a 100W reduction.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6338N across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 48 MB).

Xeon Gold 6338N

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (42,086 vs 42,285).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.2 vs 42.3 PassMark/$ ($3,200 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).
❌117.6% higher power demand at 185W vs 85W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7D12 better than Xeon Gold 6338N?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6338N is ahead with a 14.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7D12 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6338N also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7D12 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.

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

EPYC 7D12 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7D12 comes in $2,200 cheaper on MSRP at $1,000 MSRP versus $3,200 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6338N is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 221.5% better value on MSRP (42.3 vs 13.2 PassMark/$), 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 6338N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and 50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

EPYC 7D12 vs Xeon Gold 6338N Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7D12

The EPYC 7D12 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Rome (2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 42,285 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Gold 6338N

The Xeon Gold 6338N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 42,086 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the EPYC 7D12 and Xeon Gold 6338N share an identical 32-core/64-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 7D12 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338N — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6338N (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 7D12 uses the Rome (2020) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6338N uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7D12 scores 42,285 against the Xeon Gold 6338N's 42,086 — a 0.5% lead for the EPYC 7D12. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7D12 vs 48 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338N.

Feature	EPYC 7D12	Xeon Gold 6338N
Cores / Threads	32 / 64	32 / 64
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.2 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	48 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+100%
Process	7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Rome (2020)	Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark	42,285	42,086

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7D12 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6338N uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7D12 versus 2667 on the Xeon Gold 6338N — the EPYC 7D12 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338N supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7D12) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6338N) — the EPYC 7D12 offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7D12) and LGA4189 (Xeon Gold 6338N).

Feature	EPYC 7D12	Xeon Gold 6338N
Socket	SP3	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	3200+20%	2667
Max RAM Capacity	4096	6144+50%
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+100%	64

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 7D12) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338N). Direct competitor: EPYC 7D12 rivals Xeon Gold 6248; Xeon Gold 6338N rivals EPYC 7513.

Feature	EPYC 7D12	Xeon Gold 6338N
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7D12 was priced at $1000, while the Xeon Gold 6338N came in at $3200. On launch pricing ($1000 vs $3200), EPYC 7D12 was $2200 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7D12 delivers 42.3 pts/$ vs 13.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338N — making the EPYC 7D12 the 105.1% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7D12	Xeon Gold 6338N
MSRP	$1000-69%	$3200
Performance per Dollar	42.3+220%	13.2
Release Date	2020	2021

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