Xeon Gold 6338N vs Xeon W-3275

Intel

Xeon Gold 6338N

32 Cores64 Thrd185 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon W-3275

28 Cores56 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Xeon Gold 6338N vs Xeon W-3275 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 6338N vs Xeon W-3275 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 W-3275: 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

  • +2% higher PassMark.
  • +24.7% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 MB).
  • Costs $1,249 less on MSRP ($3,200 MSRP vs $4,449 MSRP).
  • Delivers 41.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.2 vs 9.3 PassMark/$ ($3,200 MSRP vs $4,449 MSRP).
  • Draws 185W instead of 205W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3275 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon W-3275

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +18.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (41,267 vs 42,086).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (39 MB vs 48 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.3 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($4,449 MSRP vs $3,200 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6338N better than Xeon W-3275?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-3275 is ahead with a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6338N pulls ahead with 2% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6338N also has the bigger cache pool with 24.7% 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 6338N is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 24.7% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6338N is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6338N comes in $1,249 cheaper on MSRP at $3,200 MSRP versus $4,449 MSRP, and it still gives you 2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-3275 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 41.8% better value on MSRP (13.2 vs 9.3 PassMark/$), 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 6338N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019), 24.7% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 39 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 28/56. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6338N vs Xeon W-3275 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon W-3275

The Xeon W-3275 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 41,267 points. Launch price was $4,449.

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6338N packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon W-3275 offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338N has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338N versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon W-3275 — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3275 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6338N uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon W-3275 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338N scores 42,086 against the Xeon W-3275's 41,267 — a 2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6338N. L3 cache: 48 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338N vs 38.5 MB on the Xeon W-3275.

FeatureXeon Gold 6338NXeon W-3275
Cores / Threads
32 / 64+14%
28 / 56
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
4.6 GHz+31%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
2.5 GHz+14%
L3 Cache
48 MB (total)+25%
38.5 MB
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
28 MB+2700%
Process
10 nm-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Ice Lake-SP (2021)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
42,086+2%
41,267
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6338N uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-3275 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2667 on the Xeon Gold 6338N versus 3200 on the Xeon W-3275 — the Xeon W-3275 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338N supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 1024 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6338N) vs 6 (Xeon W-3275). Both provide 64 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: LGA4189 (Xeon Gold 6338N) and C621 (Xeon W-3275).

FeatureXeon Gold 6338NXeon W-3275
Socket
LGA4189
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
2667
3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
6144+500%
1024
RAM Channels
8+33%
6
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
64
64
🔧

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 W-3275 rivals Threadripper 3970X.

FeatureXeon Gold 6338NXeon W-3275
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6338N was priced at $3200, while the Xeon W-3275 came in at $4449. On launch pricing ($3200 vs $4449), Xeon Gold 6338N was $1249 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338N delivers 13.2 pts/$ vs 9.3 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3275 — making the Xeon Gold 6338N the 34.6% better value option.

FeatureXeon Gold 6338NXeon W-3275
MSRP
$3200-28%
$4449
Performance per Dollar
13.2+42%
9.3
Release Date
2021
2019

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