EPYC 7D12 vs Xeon Gold 6338N
EPYC 7D12
Xeon Gold 6338N
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 EPYC 7D12
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6338N
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 7D12 | Xeon Gold 6338N |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,200) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Rome (2020) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 7D12 | Xeon Gold 6338N |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+3115%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,200) |
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 EPYC 7D12 and Xeon Gold 6338N
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.
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 18.2% 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 — 40% 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 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 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
The EPYC 7D12 launched at $1000 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6338N debuted at $3200. At current prices ($100 vs $3200), the EPYC 7D12 is $3100 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7D12 delivers 422.9 pts/$ vs 13.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338N — making the EPYC 7D12 the 187.9% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 7D12 | Xeon Gold 6338N |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1000-69% | $3200 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100-97% | $3200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 422.9+3104% | 13.2 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2021 |
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