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 6338N vs Xeon Gold 6526Y 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 6338N vs Xeon Gold 6526Y: 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 6338N

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 38 MB).
✅Draws 185W instead of 195W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (42,086 vs 43,195).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.2 vs 15.0 PassMark/$ ($3,200 MSRP vs $2,878 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6526Y moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6526Y

2023

Why buy it

✅+2.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $322 less on MSRP ($2,878 MSRP vs $3,200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 14.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.0 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($2,878 MSRP vs $3,200 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6338N across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (38 MB vs 48 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6526Y better than Xeon Gold 6338N?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6338N is ahead with a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6526Y pulls ahead with 2.6% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6338N also has the bigger cache pool with 28% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 38 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6526Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.6% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6526Y is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6526Y comes in $322 cheaper on MSRP at $2,878 MSRP versus $3,200 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6338N is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 14.1% better value on MSRP (15.0 vs 13.2 PassMark/$), 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 6526Y 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 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 32/64. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6338N vs Xeon Gold 6526Y Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Gold 6526Y

The Xeon Gold 6526Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 195 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,195 points. Launch price was $1,517.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6338N packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6526Y offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338N versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6526Y — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6526Y (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6338N uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6526Y uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338N scores 42,086 against the Xeon Gold 6526Y's 43,195 — a 2.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6526Y. L3 cache: 48 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338N vs 37.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6526Y.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6338N	Xeon Gold 6526Y
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+100%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	48 MB (total)+28%	37.5 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Ice Lake-SP (2021)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	42,086	43,195+3%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6338N uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6526Y uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2667 on the Xeon Gold 6338N versus 5200 on the Xeon Gold 6526Y — the Xeon Gold 6526Y supports 95% 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 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6338N) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6526Y) — the Xeon Gold 6526Y offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA4189 (Xeon Gold 6338N) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6526Y).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6338N	Xeon Gold 6526Y
Socket	LGA4189	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	2667	5200+95%
Max RAM Capacity	6144+50%	4096
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	80+25%

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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 6338N rivals EPYC 7513; Xeon Gold 6526Y rivals EPYC 9334.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6338N	Xeon Gold 6526Y
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 6338N was priced at $3200, while the Xeon Gold 6526Y came in at $2878. On launch pricing ($3200 vs $2878), Xeon Gold 6526Y was $322 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338N delivers 13.2 pts/$ vs 15.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6526Y — making the Xeon Gold 6526Y the 13.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6338N	Xeon Gold 6526Y
MSRP	$3200	$2878-10%
Performance per Dollar	13.2	15.0+14%
Release Date	2021	2023

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