Xeon Gold 6338 vs Core i9-12900KF
Xeon Gold 6338
Core i9-12900KF
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6338
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900KF
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6338 | Core i9-12900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,604) | ✅ More affordable ($320) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6338 | Core i9-12900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+409%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,604) | ✅ More affordable ($320) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6338 and Core i9-12900KF
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.
Core i9-12900KF
The Core i9-12900KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 40,858 points. Launch price was $564.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6338 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Core i9-12900KF offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338 versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-12900KF — a 47.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KF (base: 2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i9-12900KF is built on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338 scores 40,225 against the Core i9-12900KF's 40,858 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i9-12900KF. L3 cache: 48 MB on the Xeon Gold 6338 vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KF.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338 | Core i9-12900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 32 / 64+100% | 16 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 5.2 GHz+63% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3.2 GHz+60% |
| L3 Cache | 48 MB+60% | 30 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | Intel 7 nm-30% |
| Architecture | — | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) |
| PassMark | 40,225 | 40,858+2% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 27,472 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,585 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 15,300 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6338 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-12900KF uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6338 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-12900KF — the Xeon Gold 6338 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6338) vs 2 (Core i9-12900KF). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6338) vs 20 (Core i9-12900KF) — the Xeon Gold 6338 offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6338) and Z690,Z790,B660,B760 (Core i9-12900KF).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338 | Core i9-12900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4189 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | 3200+63900% | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6144 | 128 GB+2184433% |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 64+220% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-12900KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6338 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12900KF). Primary use case: Core i9-12900KF targets Extreme Gaming / Content Creation. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6338 rivals EPYC 7543; Core i9-12900KF rivals Ryzen 9 5950X.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338 | Core i9-12900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Extreme Gaming / Content Creation |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6338 launched at $2990 MSRP, while the Core i9-12900KF debuted at $564. At current prices ($1604 vs $320), the Core i9-12900KF is $1284 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338 delivers 25.1 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900KF — making the Core i9-12900KF the 134.3% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338 | Core i9-12900KF |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2990 | $564-81% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1604 | $320-80% |
| Performance per Dollar | 25.1 | 127.7+409% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2021 |
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