Xeon Gold 6338N vs EPYC 7D12
Xeon Gold 6338N
EPYC 7D12
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 EPYC 7D12
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6338N | EPYC 7D12 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,200) | ✅ More affordable ($100) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Rome (2020) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6338N | EPYC 7D12 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+3115%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,200) | ✅ More affordable ($100) |
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 EPYC 7D12
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.
EPYC 7D12
The EPYC 7D12 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Rome (2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 42,285 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon Gold 6338N and EPYC 7D12 share an identical 32-core/64-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338N versus 3 GHz on the EPYC 7D12 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6338N (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6338N uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the EPYC 7D12 uses Rome (2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338N scores 42,086 against the EPYC 7D12's 42,285 — a 0.5% lead for the EPYC 7D12. L3 cache: 48 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338N vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7D12.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338N | EPYC 7D12 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 32 / 64 | 32 / 64 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz+17% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz+100% | 1.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 48 MB (total)+50% | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+100% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 7 nm-30% |
| Architecture | Ice Lake-SP (2021) | Rome (2020) |
| PassMark | 42,086 | 42,285 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6338N uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 7D12 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2667 on the Xeon Gold 6338N versus 3200 on the EPYC 7D12 — the EPYC 7D12 supports 18.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338N supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6338N) vs 128 (EPYC 7D12) — the EPYC 7D12 offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA4189 (Xeon Gold 6338N) and SP3 (EPYC 7D12).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338N | EPYC 7D12 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4189 | SP3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 2667 | 3200+20% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6144+50% | 4096 |
| RAM Channels | 8 | 8 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 64 | 128+100% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338N) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 7D12). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6338N rivals EPYC 7513; EPYC 7D12 rivals Xeon Gold 6248.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338N | EPYC 7D12 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6338N launched at $3200 MSRP, while the EPYC 7D12 debuted at $1000. At current prices ($3200 vs $100), the EPYC 7D12 is $3100 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338N delivers 13.2 pts/$ vs 422.9 pts/$ for the EPYC 7D12 — making the EPYC 7D12 the 187.9% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338N | EPYC 7D12 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $3200 | $1000-69% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $3200 | $100-97% |
| Performance per Dollar | 13.2 | 422.9+3104% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2020 |
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