Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Xeon Gold 6338N
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Xeon Gold 6338N 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 AI Max PRO 390 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 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.
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
2025Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +19.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 48 MB).
- ✅Costs $2,600 less on MSRP ($600 MSRP vs $3,200 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 447.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 72.0 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $3,200 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 55W instead of 185W, a 130W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6338N, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.
Xeon Gold 6338N
2021Why buy it
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 28.
- ✅128.6% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (42,086 vs 43,174).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (48 MB vs 64 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.2 vs 72.0 PassMark/$ ($3,200 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
- ❌236.4% higher power demand at 185W vs 55W.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 better than Xeon Gold 6338N?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Xeon Gold 6338N Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP11. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 43,174 points. Launch price was $499.
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
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6338N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338N has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338N — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the Strix Halo (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6338N uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 scores 43,174 against the Xeon Gold 6338N's 42,086 — a 2.6% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs 48 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338N.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Xeon Gold 6338N |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 32 / 64+167% |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+43% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+45% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB (total)+33% | 48 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 4 nm-60% | 10 nm |
| Architecture | Strix Halo (2025) | Ice Lake-SP (2021) |
| PassMark | 43,174+3% | 42,086 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the FP11 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 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 versus 2667 on the Xeon Gold 6338N — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338N supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 128 — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6338N). PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6338N) — the Xeon Gold 6338N offers 36 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) and LGA4189 (Xeon Gold 6338N).
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Xeon Gold 6338N |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP11 | LGA4189 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 8000+200% | 2667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | 6144+4700% |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 8+100% |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 28 | 64+129% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338N). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon 8050S), while the Xeon Gold 6338N requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 rivals Apple M4 Max; Xeon Gold 6338N rivals EPYC 7513.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Xeon Gold 6338N |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | AMD Radeon 8050S | None |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 was priced at $600, while the Xeon Gold 6338N came in at $3200. On launch pricing ($600 vs $3200), Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 was $2600 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 delivers 72.0 pts/$ vs 13.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338N — making the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 the 138.2% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Xeon Gold 6338N |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $600-81% | $3200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 72.0+445% | 13.2 |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2021 |
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