Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon Gold 6338

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6338

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon Gold 6338 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 7 3700X vs Xeon Gold 6338 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 7 3700X vs Xeon Gold 6338: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +19.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $2,661 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).
  • Delivers 406.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 13.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 205W, a 140W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 40,225).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 48 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6338, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6338

2021

Why buy it

  • +79.3% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • 166.7% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.5 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($2,990 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 215.4% higher power demand at 205W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon Gold 6338?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6338 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 3700X 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 6338 is the stronger fit. You are getting 79.3% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in $2,661 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $2,990 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6338 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 79.3% better PassMark. It is also 406.8% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 13.5 PassMark/$), 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 6338 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019), 50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB), more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 8/16, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon Gold 6338 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6338

The Xeon Gold 6338 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 40,225 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6338 offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338 has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338 — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X is built on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon Gold 6338's 40,225 — a 56.8% lead for the Xeon Gold 6338. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 48 MB on the Xeon Gold 6338.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon Gold 6338
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
32 / 64+300%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+38%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+80%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB
48 MB+50%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
10 nm
Architecture
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
22,430
40,225+79%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6338 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6338 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6338). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6338) — the Xeon Gold 6338 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6338).

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon Gold 6338
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

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6338 rivals EPYC 7543.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon Gold 6338
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 7 3700X was priced at $329, while the Xeon Gold 6338 came in at $2990. On launch pricing ($329 vs $2990), Ryzen 7 3700X was $2661 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 13.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338 — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 134.1% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon Gold 6338
MSRP
$329-89%
$2990
Performance per Dollar
68.2+405%
13.5
Release Date
2019
2021

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