Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX vs Xeon Gold 6338

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

16 Cores32 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Threadripper Pro family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6338

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX 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 Threadripper PRO 3955WX 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 Threadripper PRO 3955WX 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 Threadripper PRO 3955WX

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +17.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 48 MB).
  • Costs $1,841 less on MSRP ($1,149 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).
  • Delivers 158.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.8 vs 13.5 PassMark/$ ($1,149 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (39,929 vs 40,225).
  • 36.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 205W.

Xeon Gold 6338

2021

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 205W instead of 280W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (48 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.5 vs 34.8 PassMark/$ ($2,990 MSRP vs $1,149 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6338 better than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is ahead with a 17.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6338 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 48 MB).
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 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6338 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6338 comes in 160.2% more expensive on MSRP at $2,990 MSRP versus $1,149 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is also 158.3% better value on MSRP (34.8 vs 13.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds 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 2020) and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 16/32. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX vs Xeon Gold 6338 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 39,929 points. Launch price was $1,149.

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 Threadripper PRO 3955WX packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6338 offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338 — a 29.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is built on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX scores 39,929 against the Xeon Gold 6338's 40,225 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 6338. L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX vs 48 MB on the Xeon Gold 6338.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
Cores / Threads
16 / 32
32 / 64+100%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+34%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.9 GHz+95%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
64 MB+33%
48 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
10 nm
Architecture
Castle Peak (2020)
PassMark
39,929
40,225
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX uses the sWRX8 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 3200 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6338 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 2048 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6338) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6338).

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
Socket
sWRX8
LGA4189
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
3200
3200
Max RAM Capacity
2048
6144+200%
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+100%
64
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX 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 Threadripper PRO 3955WX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338). Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX rivals Xeon Silver 4314; Xeon Gold 6338 rivals EPYC 7543.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
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 Threadripper PRO 3955WX was priced at $1149, while the Xeon Gold 6338 came in at $2990. On launch pricing ($1149 vs $2990), Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX was $1841 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX delivers 34.8 pts/$ vs 13.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338 — making the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX the 88.4% better value option.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
MSRP
$1149-62%
$2990
Performance per Dollar
34.8+158%
13.5
Release Date
2020
2021

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