Xeon Gold 6338N vs Core i9-12900K
Xeon Gold 6338N
Core i9-12900K
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 6338N
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6338N | Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,200) | ✅ More affordable ($322) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6338N | Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+872%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,200) | ✅ More affordable ($322) |
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 6338N and Core i9-12900K
Xeon Gold 6338N
The Xeon Gold 6338N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 42,086 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i9-12900K
The Core i9-12900K 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 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 41,180 points. Launch price was $589.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6338N packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Core i9-12900K offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338N versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-12900K — a 39.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900K (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6338N uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-12900K uses Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338N scores 42,086 against the Core i9-12900K's 41,180 — a 2.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6338N. L3 cache: 48 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338N vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338N | Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 32 / 64+100% | 16 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 5.2 GHz+49% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.2 GHz+45% |
| L3 Cache | 48 MB (total)+60% | 30 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+25% |
| Process | 10 nm | 10 nm |
| Architecture | Ice Lake-SP (2021) | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) |
| PassMark | 42,086+2% | 41,180 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6338N uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-12900K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2667 on the Xeon Gold 6338N versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900K — the Xeon Gold 6338N supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338N supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6338N) vs 2 (Core i9-12900K). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6338N) vs 20 (Core i9-12900K) — the Xeon Gold 6338N offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA4189 (Xeon Gold 6338N) and Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i9-12900K).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338N | Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4189 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | 2667+53240% | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6144 | 128 GB+2184433% |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 64+220% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338N) / not specified (Core i9-12900K). The Core i9-12900K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon Gold 6338N requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6338N rivals EPYC 7513.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338N | Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6338N launched at $3200 MSRP, while the Core i9-12900K debuted at $589. At current prices ($3200 vs $322), the Core i9-12900K is $2878 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338N delivers 13.2 pts/$ vs 127.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900K — making the Core i9-12900K the 162.7% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338N | Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $3200 | $589-82% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $3200 | $322-90% |
| Performance per Dollar | 13.2 | 127.9+869% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2021 |
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