Xeon E7-8857 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6338T

Intel

Xeon E7-8857 v2

12 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6338T

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Xeon E7-8857 v2 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.

Xeon E7-8857 v2 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.

Xeon E7-8857 v2 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.

Xeon E7-8857 v2

2014

Why buy it

  • +1.4% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 130W instead of 165W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6338T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.5 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($3,838 MSRP vs $3,139 MSRP).

Xeon Gold 6338T

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Costs $699 less on MSRP ($3,139 MSRP vs $3,838 MSRP).
  • Delivers 20.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.4 vs 9.5 PassMark/$ ($3,139 MSRP vs $3,838 MSRP).
  • 60% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 40) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (35,801 vs 36,304).
  • 26.9% higher power demand at 165W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6338T better than Xeon E7-8857 v2?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6338T is ahead with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-8857 v2 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6338T also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-8857 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6338T is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6338T comes in $699 cheaper on MSRP at $3,139 MSRP versus $3,838 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E7-8857 v2 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.4% better PassMark. It is also 20.6% better value on MSRP (11.4 vs 9.5 PassMark/$), 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 6338T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2014), 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E7-8857 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6338T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E7-8857 v2

The Xeon E7-8857 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 36,304 points. Launch price was $800.

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 Xeon E7-8857 v2 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6338T offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338T has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E7-8857 v2 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338T — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E7-8857 v2 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6338T is built on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7-8857 v2 scores 36,304 against the Xeon Gold 6338T's 35,801 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E7-8857 v2. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon E7-8857 v2 vs 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338T.

FeatureXeon E7-8857 v2Xeon Gold 6338T
Cores / Threads
12 / 12
24 / 48+100%
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz+6%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz+43%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
30 MB
36 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
Process
22 nm
10 nm-55%
Architecture
Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark
36,304+1%
35,801
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-8857 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6338T uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Xeon E7-8857 v2 versus 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6338T — the Xeon Gold 6338T supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338T supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 1536 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E7-8857 v2) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6338T). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E7-8857 v2) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6338T) — the Xeon Gold 6338T offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602J (Xeon E7-8857 v2) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6338T).

FeatureXeon E7-8857 v2Xeon Gold 6338T
Socket
LGA2011
LGA4189
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
1600
3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity
1536
6144+300%
RAM Channels
4
8+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
64+60%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6338T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon E7-8857 v2 rivals Xeon E7-4850 v2; Xeon Gold 6338T rivals EPYC 7443P.

FeatureXeon E7-8857 v2Xeon Gold 6338T
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E7-8857 v2 was priced at $3838, while the Xeon Gold 6338T came in at $3139. On launch pricing ($3838 vs $3139), Xeon Gold 6338T was $699 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E7-8857 v2 delivers 9.5 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338T — making the Xeon Gold 6338T the 18.7% better value option.

FeatureXeon E7-8857 v2Xeon Gold 6338T
MSRP
$3838
$3139-18%
Performance per Dollar
9.5
11.4+20%
Release Date
2014
2021

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