Xeon Gold 6338T vs Xeon Gold 6242R
Xeon Gold 6338T
Xeon Gold 6242R
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 6338T
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6242R
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6338T | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,795) | ✅ More affordable ($779) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6338T | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+132%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,795) | ✅ More affordable ($779) |
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 6338T and Xeon Gold 6242R
Xeon Gold 6338T
The Xeon Gold 6338T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 35,801 points. Launch price was $800.
Xeon Gold 6242R
The Xeon Gold 6242R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 36,011 points. Launch price was $2,529.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6338T packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242R offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338T versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6338T uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338T scores 35,801 against the Xeon Gold 6242R's 36,011 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242R. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338T vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338T | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48+20% | 20 / 40 |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 4.1 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.1 GHz+48% |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB (total) | 35.75 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 20 MB+1900% |
| Process | 10 nm-29% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Ice Lake-SP (2021) | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 35,801 | 36,011 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6338T uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6338T versus 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R — the Xeon Gold 6338T supports 8.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338T supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 1024 — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6338T) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6242R). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6338T) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6242R) — the Xeon Gold 6338T offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6338T) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338T | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4189 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 3200+9% | 2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6144+500% | 1024 |
| RAM Channels | 8+33% | 6 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 64+33% | 48 |
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 6338T rivals EPYC 7443P; Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338T | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| 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
The Xeon Gold 6338T launched at $3139 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6242R debuted at $2977. At current prices ($1795 vs $779), the Xeon Gold 6242R is $1016 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338T delivers 19.9 pts/$ vs 46.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6242R — making the Xeon Gold 6242R the 79.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6338T | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $3139 | $2977-5% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1795 | $779-57% |
| Performance per Dollar | 19.9 | 46.2+132% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2020 |
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