Xeon Gold 6338 vs Xeon Gold 6354

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 6338 vs Xeon Gold 6354 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 6338 vs Xeon Gold 6354: 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 6338

2021

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅+23.1% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6354 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
3.9% HIGHER MSRP
$2,990 MSRPvs$2,878 MSRP

Xeon Gold 6354

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $112 less on MSRP ($2,878 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (39,400 vs 40,225).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (39 MB vs 48 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6338 better than Xeon Gold 6354?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6354 is ahead with a 9.0% 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 2.1% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6338 also has the bigger cache pool with 23.1% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 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 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 23.1% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6338 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6354 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6338 comes in 3.9% more expensive on MSRP at $2,990 MSRP versus $2,878 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6354 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6354 is also 1.8% better value on MSRP (13.7 vs 13.5 PassMark/$), 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 23.1% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 18/36. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6338 vs Xeon Gold 6354 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Gold 6354

The Xeon Gold 6354 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 39 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 39,400 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6338 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6354 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6354 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6354 (base: 2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6354 is built on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338 scores 40,225 against the Xeon Gold 6354's 39,400 — a 2.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6338. L3 cache: 48 MB on the Xeon Gold 6338 vs 39 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6354.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6338	Xeon Gold 6354
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+78%	18 / 36
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	48 MB+23%	39 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	—	Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark	40,225+2%	39,400

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA4189 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to 3200 memory speed. Both support up to 6144 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 64 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6338) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6354).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6338	Xeon Gold 6354
Socket	LGA4189	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	3200	3200
Max RAM Capacity	6144	6144
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	64

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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 6338 rivals EPYC 7543; Xeon Gold 6354 rivals EPYC 7453.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6338	Xeon Gold 6354
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 6338 was priced at $2990, while the Xeon Gold 6354 came in at $2878. On launch pricing ($2990 vs $2878), Xeon Gold 6354 was $112 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338 delivers 13.5 pts/$ vs 13.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6354 — making the Xeon Gold 6354 the 1.7% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6338	Xeon Gold 6354
MSRP	$2990	$2878-4%
Performance per Dollar	13.5	13.7+1%
Release Date	2021	2021

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