Xeon Gold 6336Y vs Xeon Gold 6538N

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 6336Y vs Xeon Gold 6538N 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 6336Y vs Xeon Gold 6538N: 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 6336Y

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $106 less on MSRP ($3,245 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Draws 185W instead of 205W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 60 MB).
❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6538N moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6538N

2023

Why buy it

✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6336Y across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (44,895 vs 45,517).
❌
3.3% HIGHER MSRP
$3,351 MSRPvs$3,245 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6336Y better than Xeon Gold 6538N?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6336Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% 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 6336Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.6% 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 6336Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6336Y is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6336Y comes in $106 cheaper on MSRP at $3,245 MSRP versus $3,351 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 4.7% better value on MSRP (14.0 vs 13.4 PassMark/$), 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 6538N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA4189, and 66.7% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 36 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6336Y vs Xeon Gold 6538N Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6336Y

The Xeon Gold 6336Y 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 45,517 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Gold 6538N

The Xeon Gold 6538N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 44,895 points. Launch price was $3,351.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6336Y packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6538N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6538N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6336Y versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6538N — a 13% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6538N (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6336Y uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6336Y scores 45,517 against the Xeon Gold 6538N's 44,895 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6336Y. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6336Y vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6538N.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6336Y	Xeon Gold 6538N
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	32 / 64+33%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.1 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+14%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	60 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Ice Lake-SP (2021)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	45,517+1%	44,895

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6336Y uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6336Y versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6538N — the Xeon Gold 6538N supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6336Y) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6538N) — the Xeon Gold 6538N offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6336Y) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6538N).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6336Y	Xeon Gold 6538N
Socket	LGA4189	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	3200	4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	4096	4096
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	80+25%

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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 6336Y rivals EPYC 7543; Xeon Gold 6538N rivals EPYC 9334.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6336Y	Xeon Gold 6538N
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 6336Y was priced at $3245, while the Xeon Gold 6538N came in at $3351. On launch pricing ($3245 vs $3351), Xeon Gold 6336Y was $106 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6336Y delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6538N — making the Xeon Gold 6336Y the 4.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6336Y	Xeon Gold 6538N
MSRP	$3245-3%	$3351
Performance per Dollar	14.0+4%	13.4
Release Date	2021	2023

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