Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon Gold 6338T

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6338T

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon Gold 6338T Performance Spectrum

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.

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon Gold 6338T 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.

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon Gold 6338T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $2,940 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $3,139 MSRP).
  • Delivers 849.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $3,139 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Xeon Gold 6338T.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (21,550 vs 35,801).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6338T, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6338T

2021

Why buy it

  • +66.1% higher PassMark.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • 166.7% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.4 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($3,139 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • 153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Xeon Gold 6338T?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6338T makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6338T is the stronger fit. You are getting 66.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $2,940 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $3,139 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6338T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 66.1% better PassMark. It is also 849.5% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 11.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon Gold 6338T Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6338T

The Xeon Gold 6338T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 35,801 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6338T offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338T has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338T — a 25.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6338T uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Xeon Gold 6338T's 35,801 — a 49.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 6338T. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338T.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Xeon Gold 6338T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
24 / 48+300%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+29%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+67%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)
36 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+51100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
7 nm-30%
10 nm
Architecture
Vermeer (2020−2025)
Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark
21,550
35,801+66%
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,077
Geekbench 6 Single
2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,600
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6338T uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6338T supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6338T). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6338T) — the Xeon Gold 6338T offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6338T).

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Xeon Gold 6338T
Socket
AM4
LGA4189
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
6144 GB+4700%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
64+167%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6338T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338T). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6338T rivals EPYC 7443P.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Xeon Gold 6338T
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600 was priced at $199, while the Xeon Gold 6338T came in at $3139. On launch pricing ($199 vs $3139), Ryzen 5 5600 was $2940 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338T — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 161.9% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Xeon Gold 6338T
MSRP
$199-94%
$3139
Performance per Dollar
108.3+850%
11.4
Release Date
2022
2021

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