AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D vs Intel Xeon Gold 6338T Comparison

The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T and AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D represent two fundamentally different approaches to high-performance computing. The Xeon is a 24-core server processor built on Intel’s 10 nm Ice Lake-SP architecture, while the Ryzen is a 16-core mobile part using TSMC’s 5 nm process with 3D V-Cache. Benchmark results show the AMD chip winning 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, but the Intel part dominates in single-core Cinebench runs. The data suggests the Xeon is for legacy single-threaded server workloads, while the Ryzen is a better all-around performer for modern multithreaded tasks.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D is the clear performance winner in the majority of benchmarks. It takes 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, including decisive victories in PassMark multithread (57,476 vs 35,801, a 37.7% margin) and Cinebench R15 multicore (5,600 vs 3,067, a 45.2% advantage). The Ryzen also leads in every PassMark workload except single-core tests, where the Xeon’s 2,348 score beats the Ryzen’s 4,050 — wait, that is wrong. The single-thread PassMark score belongs to the AMD part. The Xeon wins only in Cinebench single-core tests, with a 122% lead in R23 single-core (4,296 vs 1,935) and a 38.9% lead in R15 single-core (432 vs 311).

For buyers, the choice depends on workload. The Ryzen 9 7945HX3D is the pick for anyone running multithreaded applications, data compression, encryption, or floating-point math. Its 128 MB of L3 cache and 5.40 GHz boost clock make it a monster for modern compute. The Xeon Gold 6338T is only recommended for legacy software that relies heavily on single-core performance, as its Cinebench single-core scores are more than double the Ryzen’s. However, the Ryzen’s PassMark single-thread score of 4,050 is 72.5% higher than the Xeon’s 2,348, suggesting the AMD part is better even there in real-world integer workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Xeon supports eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D has 128 MB of shared L3 cache, including a 1x 64 MB 3D V-Cache slice. The Intel Xeon has 36 MB of shared L3.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Xeon has a TDP of 165 W, while the Ryzen is rated at 55 W — a threefold difference.

Q: Which chip supports PCIe Gen 5?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D supports PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes. The Intel Xeon supports PCIe Gen 4 with 64 lanes.

Q: Does either CPU have integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D includes a Radeon 610M iGPU. The Intel Xeon has no integrated graphics.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different process nodes and foundries. Intel fabricates the Xeon Gold 6338T on its own 10 nm node, while AMD uses TSMC’s 5 nm process for the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D. The Ryzen’s architecture is Zen 4, codenamed Dragon Range, and it features 17,840 million transistors across a 2x 71 mm² die configuration. The Xeon uses the Ice Lake-SP architecture with no disclosed transistor or die size data.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is where they diverge. The Xeon offers 36 MB shared L3, while the Ryzen packs 128 MB shared, including a dedicated 1x 64 MB 3D V-Cache slice. This extra cache likely explains the Ryzen’s dominance in data-heavy workloads.

The memory controllers are also distinct. The Xeon uses eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Xeon provides 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Ryzen offers 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Ryzen also includes a Radeon 610M integrated GPU, which the Xeon lacks entirely.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference: 24 cores/48 threads for the Intel versus 16 cores/32 threads for the AMD. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for the Xeon and 2.30 GHz for the Ryzen, but boost clocks tell a different story — the Xeon boosts to 3.40 GHz, while the Ryzen reaches 5.40 GHz. TDP is dramatically different at 165 W for the Xeon versus 55 W for the Ryzen.

Socket compatibility is entirely separate: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 4189, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FL1. The market segments also differ — the Xeon is a Server/Workstation part, while the Ryzen is a Mobile processor. Release dates show the Xeon launched on 2021-04-05, and the Ryzen on 2023-07-26. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Xeon does not. The Ryzen’s part number is 100-000001086. Both are currently active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D wins decisively in the Cinebench R15 multicore test, scoring 5,600 versus the Intel’s 3,067 — a 45.2% lead. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the gap narrows but still favors AMD: 32,782 versus 30,430, a 7.2% advantage. Single-core results flip entirely. The Xeon wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 432 versus 311 (38.9% ahead) and Cinebench R23 single-core with 4,296 versus 1,935 — a massive 122% lead.

PassMark results are overwhelmingly in AMD’s favor. The Ryzen scores 699,988 in data compression versus 557,816 for the Intel, a 20.3% win. Data encryption shows a 41.8% gap (42,367 vs 24,677). Extended instructions favor AMD by 17.2% (52,310 vs 43,292). Prime number finding is a 73.5% blowout (446 vs 118). Floating-point math goes to AMD by 25.5% (121,619 vs 90,584). Integer math is 24.3% better (201,217 vs 152,275). Multithread performance gives AMD a 37.7% edge (57,476 vs 35,801). Physics tests show a 73.2% lead for AMD (4,321 vs 1,160). Random string sorting is 20.8% better (83,919 vs 66,495). The only PassMark test the Xeon wins is none — AMD takes single-thread 4,050 versus 2,348, a 42% margin.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D wins in every multithreaded and compute-heavy category. It dominates in PassMark multithread, physics, prime number finding, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, integer math, and random string sorting. For modern workloads like video encoding, scientific simulation, and data processing, the Ryzen’s 3D V-Cache and higher boost clock deliver superior results. It also wins the only 3DMark tests listed, though those aren’t in the head-to-head table.

The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T wins only in Cinebench single-core tests. Its R23 single-core score of 4,296 is more than double the Ryzen’s 1,935, and its R15 single-core score of 432 beats the Ryzen’s 311. This suggests the Xeon has an advantage in legacy single-threaded server applications or workloads that cannot scale across cores. However, the Ryzen’s PassMark single-thread score of 4,050 far exceeds the Xeon’s 2,348, indicating that in general-purpose single-threaded tasks, the AMD part is actually faster. The Xeon’s Cinebench wins appear to be benchmark-specific anomalies rather than a general single-core advantage.

For most users, the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D is the better choice across nearly every metric. Its lower TDP (55 W vs 165 W), higher boost clock, larger cache, and newer process node make it a more efficient and capable processor. The Xeon’s only practical advantage is its 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and eight-channel memory, which matter for server platforms needing massive I/O or memory throughput.