Xeon Gold 6338 vs Xeon Gold 6416H

Intel

Xeon Gold 6338

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2021
VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6416H

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2023

Xeon Gold 6338 vs Xeon Gold 6416H 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 Gold 6338 vs Xeon Gold 6416H 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 6416H: 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

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6416H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower PassMark (40,225 vs 40,606).
    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.5 vs 22.0 PassMark/$ ($2,990 MSRP vs $1,845 MSRP).
    • ❌24.2% higher power demand at 205W vs 165W.
    • ❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6416H moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

    Xeon Gold 6416H

    2023

    Why buy it

    • βœ…Better for gaming: +13.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • βœ…Costs $1,145 less on MSRP ($1,845 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).
    • βœ…Delivers 63.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.0 vs 13.5 PassMark/$ ($1,845 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).
    • βœ…Draws 165W instead of 205W, a 40W reduction.
    • βœ…Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Xeon Gold 6416H better than Xeon Gold 6338?
    Yes. Xeon Gold 6416H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6416H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.2% 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 6416H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Xeon Gold 6416H is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6416H comes in $1,145 cheaper on MSRP at $1,845 MSRP versus $2,990 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 63.6% better value on MSRP (22.0 vs 13.5 PassMark/$), 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 6416H 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 more multi-core headroom with 18 cores / 36 threads instead of 32/64. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Xeon Gold 6338 vs Xeon Gold 6416H Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    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.

    Intel

    Xeon Gold 6416H

    The Xeon Gold 6416H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023βˆ’2024) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,606 points. Launch price was $1,444.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    The Xeon Gold 6338 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6416H offers 18 cores / 36 threads β€” the Xeon Gold 6338 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6416H β€” a 27% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6416H (base: 2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6416H is built on the Sapphire Rapids (2023βˆ’2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338 scores 40,225 against the Xeon Gold 6416H's 40,606 β€” a 0.9% lead for the Xeon Gold 6416H. L3 cache: 48 MB on the Xeon Gold 6338 vs 45 MB on the Xeon Gold 6416H.

    FeatureXeon Gold 6338Xeon Gold 6416H
    Cores / Threads
    32 / 64+78%
    18 / 36
    Boost Clock
    3.2 GHz
    4.2 GHz+31%
    Base Clock
    2 GHz
    2.2 GHz+10%
    L3 Cache
    48 MB+7%
    45 MB
    L2 Cache
    β€”
    2 MB (per core)
    Process
    10 nm
    Intel 7 nm-30%
    Architecture
    β€”
    Sapphire Rapids (2023βˆ’2024)
    PassMark
    40,225
    40,606
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Xeon Gold 6338 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6416H uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6338 versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6416H β€” the Xeon Gold 6416H supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 β€” 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6338) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6416H) β€” the Xeon Gold 6416H offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6338) and LGA4677 (Xeon Gold 6416H).

    FeatureXeon Gold 6338Xeon Gold 6416H
    Socket
    LGA4189
    LGA4677
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0
    PCIe 5.0+25%
    Max RAM Speed
    3200
    4800+50%
    Max RAM Capacity
    6144+50%
    4096
    RAM Channels
    8
    8
    ECC Support
    Yes
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    64
    80+25%
    πŸ”§

    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 6416H rivals EPYC 9254.

    FeatureXeon Gold 6338Xeon Gold 6416H
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    IGPU Model
    None
    None
    Unlocked
    No
    No
    AVX-512
    Yes
    Yes
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    VT-x, VT-d
    πŸ’°

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Xeon Gold 6338 was priced at $2990, while the Xeon Gold 6416H came in at $1845. On launch pricing ($2990 vs $1845), Xeon Gold 6416H was $1145 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338 delivers 13.5 pts/$ vs 22.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6416H β€” making the Xeon Gold 6416H the 48.3% better value option.

    FeatureXeon Gold 6338Xeon Gold 6416H
    MSRP
    $2990
    $1845-38%
    Performance per Dollar
    13.5
    22.0+63%
    Release Date
    2021
    2023

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