EPYC 8224P vs Xeon Gold 6538N

EPYC 8224P vs Xeon Gold 6538N Performance Spectrum

EPYC 8224P

24 / 48

45,421

+1.2%

Ryzen 5 8600G

Ryzen 9 8945H

Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Xeon Gold 6538N

32 / 64

44,895

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 8224P vs Xeon Gold 6538N 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 8224P vs Xeon Gold 6538N: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 8224P

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $2,496 less on MSRP ($855 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Delivers 296.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.1 vs 13.4 PassMark/$ ($855 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Draws 160W instead of 205W, a 45W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (96 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon Gold 6538N

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (44,895 vs 45,421).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.4 vs 53.1 PassMark/$ ($3,351 MSRP vs $855 MSRP).
❌28.1% higher power demand at 205W vs 160W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 8224P better than Xeon Gold 6538N?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6538N is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 8224P pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 8224P is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

EPYC 8224P is the better buy right now. EPYC 8224P comes in $2,496 cheaper on MSRP at $855 MSRP versus $3,351 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6538N is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 296.5% better value on MSRP (53.1 vs 13.4 PassMark/$), 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 6538N is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

EPYC 8224P vs Xeon Gold 6538N Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 8224P

The EPYC 8224P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 18 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Siena (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.55 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: SP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,421 points. Launch price was $855.

Xeon Gold 6538N

The Xeon Gold 6538N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 44,895 points. Launch price was $3,351.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 8224P packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6538N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6538N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 8224P versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6538N — a 31% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6538N (base: 2.55 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The EPYC 8224P uses the Siena (2023−2024) architecture (5 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 8224P scores 45,421 against the Xeon Gold 6538N's 44,895 — a 1.2% lead for the EPYC 8224P. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 8224P vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6538N.

Feature	EPYC 8224P	Xeon Gold 6538N
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	32 / 64+33%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	4.1 GHz+37%
Base Clock	2.55 GHz+21%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+7%	60 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	5 nm-29%	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Siena (2023−2024)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	45,421+1%	44,895

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 8224P uses the SP6 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6538N supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 1152 — 255.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (EPYC 8224P) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6538N). PCIe lanes: 96 (EPYC 8224P) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6538N) — the EPYC 8224P offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP6 (EPYC 8224P) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6538N).

Feature	EPYC 8224P	Xeon Gold 6538N
Socket	SP6	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	4800	4800
Max RAM Capacity	1152	4096+256%
RAM Channels	6	8+33%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	96+20%	80

🔧

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 8224P) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6538N). Direct competitor: EPYC 8224P rivals Xeon Platinum 8452Y; Xeon Gold 6538N rivals EPYC 9334.

Feature	EPYC 8224P	Xeon Gold 6538N
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 8224P was priced at $855, while the Xeon Gold 6538N came in at $3351. On launch pricing ($855 vs $3351), EPYC 8224P was $2496 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 8224P delivers 53.1 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6538N — making the EPYC 8224P the 119.4% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 8224P	Xeon Gold 6538N
MSRP	$855-74%	$3351
Performance per Dollar	53.1+296%	13.4
Release Date	2023	2023

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