Xeon Gold 6338T vs Xeon Platinum 8268

Intel

Xeon Gold 6338T

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2021
VS
Intel

Xeon Platinum 8268

24 Cores48 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2019

Xeon Gold 6338T vs Xeon Platinum 8268 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 6338T vs Xeon Platinum 8268 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 6338T vs Xeon Platinum 8268: 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 6338T

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…+2.1% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Costs $3,163 less on MSRP ($3,139 MSRP vs $6,302 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 104.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.4 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($3,139 MSRP vs $6,302 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 165W instead of 205W, a 40W reduction.
  • βœ…33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon Platinum 8268

2019

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Lower PassMark (35,081 vs 35,801).
    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($6,302 MSRP vs $3,139 MSRP).
    • ❌24.2% higher power demand at 205W vs 165W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Xeon Gold 6338T better than Xeon Platinum 8268?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Platinum 8268 is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6338T pulls ahead with 2.1% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6338T is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Xeon Gold 6338T is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6338T comes in $3,163 cheaper on MSRP at $3,139 MSRP versus $6,302 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8268 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 104.9% better value on MSRP (11.4 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), 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 6338T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 24/48. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Xeon Gold 6338T vs Xeon Platinum 8268 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    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.

    Intel

    Xeon Platinum 8268

    The Xeon Platinum 8268 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 35,081 points. Launch price was $6,302.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    Both the Xeon Gold 6338T and Xeon Platinum 8268 share an identical 24-core/48-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338T versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8268 β€” a 13.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8268 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6338T uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8268 uses Cascade Lake-SP (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6338T scores 35,801 against the Xeon Platinum 8268's 35,081 β€” a 2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6338T. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6338T vs 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8268.

    FeatureXeon Gold 6338TXeon Platinum 8268
    Cores / Threads
    24 / 48
    24 / 48
    Boost Clock
    3.4 GHz
    3.9 GHz+15%
    Base Clock
    2.1 GHz
    2.9 GHz+38%
    L3 Cache
    36 MB (total)
    35.75 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB (per core)
    1 MB (per core)
    Process
    10 nm-29%
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Ice Lake-SP (2021)
    Cascade Lake-SP (2018)
    PassMark
    35,801+2%
    35,081
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    β€”
    24,500
    Geekbench 6 Single
    β€”
    1,394
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    β€”
    12,046
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Xeon Gold 6338T uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8268 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6338T versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Platinum 8268 β€” the Xeon Gold 6338T supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6338T supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB β€” 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6338T) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8268). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6338T) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8268) β€” the Xeon Gold 6338T offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6338T) and C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8268).

    FeatureXeon Gold 6338TXeon Platinum 8268
    Socket
    LGA4189
    LGA3647
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    3200+9%
    DDR4-2933
    Max RAM Capacity
    6144 GB+500%
    1024 GB
    RAM Channels
    8+33%
    6
    ECC Support
    Yes
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    64+33%
    48
    πŸ”§

    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 6338T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Platinum 8268). Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8268 targets High-end Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6338T rivals EPYC 7443P; Xeon Platinum 8268 rivals EPYC 7452.

    FeatureXeon Gold 6338TXeon Platinum 8268
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    IGPU Model
    None
    β€”
    Unlocked
    No
    No
    AVX-512
    Yes
    Yes
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    Target Use
    β€”
    High-end Server
    πŸ’°

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Xeon Gold 6338T was priced at $3139, while the Xeon Platinum 8268 came in at $6302. On launch pricing ($3139 vs $6302), Xeon Gold 6338T was $3163 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6338T delivers 11.4 pts/$ vs 5.6 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8268 β€” making the Xeon Gold 6338T the 68.8% better value option.

    FeatureXeon Gold 6338TXeon Platinum 8268
    MSRP
    $3139-50%
    $6302
    Performance per Dollar
    11.4+104%
    5.6
    Release Date
    2021
    2019

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