Xeon Gold 6258R vs Xeon Gold 6338

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 Gold 6258R 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.

Xeon Gold 6258R 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.

Xeon Gold 6258R

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (39 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.2 vs 13.5 PassMark/$ ($3,950 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).

Xeon Gold 6338

2021

Why buy it

✅+24.7% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 MB).
✅Costs $960 less on MSRP ($2,990 MSRP vs $3,950 MSRP).
✅Delivers 31.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.5 vs 10.2 PassMark/$ ($2,990 MSRP vs $3,950 MSRP).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6258R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (40,225 vs 40,442).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6258R better than Xeon Gold 6338?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6258R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6258R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6258R is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon Gold 6258R is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6338 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6258R comes in 32.1% more expensive on MSRP at $3,950 MSRP versus $2,990 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6338 is also 31.4% better value on MSRP (13.5 vs 10.2 PassMark/$), 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 24.7% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Gold 6258R vs Xeon Gold 6338 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6258R

The Xeon Gold 6258R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 40,442 points. Launch price was $3,950.

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.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6258R packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6338 offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6258R versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6258R (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6258R is built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6258R scores 40,442 against the Xeon Gold 6338's 40,225 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon Gold 6258R. L3 cache: 38.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6258R vs 48 MB on the Xeon Gold 6338.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6258R	Xeon Gold 6338
Cores / Threads	28 / 56	32 / 64+14%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+25%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+35%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	38.5 MB	48 MB+25%
L2 Cache	28 MB	—
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	—
PassMark	40,442	40,225

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6258R uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6338 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6258R versus 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6338 — the Xeon Gold 6338 supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 1024 — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6258R) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6338). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6258R) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6338) — the Xeon Gold 6338 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA3647 (Xeon Gold 6258R) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6338).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6258R	Xeon Gold 6338
Socket	LGA3647	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	2933	3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity	1024	6144+500%
RAM Channels	6	8+33%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	64+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6258R rivals EPYC 7502; Xeon Gold 6338 rivals EPYC 7543.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6258R	Xeon Gold 6338
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6258R was priced at $3950, while the Xeon Gold 6338 came in at $2990. On launch pricing ($3950 vs $2990), Xeon Gold 6338 was $960 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6258R delivers 10.2 pts/$ vs 13.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338 — making the Xeon Gold 6338 the 27.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6258R	Xeon Gold 6338
MSRP	$3950	$2990-24%
Performance per Dollar	10.2	13.5+32%
Release Date	2020	2021

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