AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Xeon Gold 6338T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X dominates the Intel Xeon Gold 6338T in 13 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel chip securing only two wins. The most dramatic margin comes in PassMark's physics test, where the AMD part scores 3381 against 1160 for the Xeon, a 191.5% advantage. Even more extreme is the find prime numbers test, where the Ryzen 9 9900X scores 436 versus 118, a 269.5% lead.

The Ryzen 9 9900X also shows substantial strength in multithreaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 5008 versus 3067, a 63.3% advantage. PassMark multithread results follow the same pattern: 54643 for AMD versus 35801 for Intel, a 52.6% delta. Data encryption shows a 35.4% lead (33421 versus 24677), and floating point math lands at 32.6% ahead (120083 versus 90584). Extended instructions, integer math, and data compression all favor AMD as well, with deltas of 27.6%, 18.9%, and 22.5% respectively.

The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T takes its two wins in Cinebench single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 4296 versus 2253 for the Ryzen, a 47.6% margin. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon leads 432 to 353, an 18.3% delta. However, the PassMark single-thread test tells a different story: there the AMD chip scores 4672 versus 2348, a 99% advantage. This discrepancy between Cinebench and PassMark single-thread results suggests workload-specific behavior rather than a universal single-core superiority for Intel.

The closest race in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 multicore, where the Ryzen 9 9900X scores 32172 versus 30430 for the Xeon, a modest 5.7% edge. Random string sorting is also relatively tight, with AMD ahead by 8.3% (72013 versus 66495). These narrower margins indicate that in some heavily parallel workloads, the Xeon's higher core count can nearly close the gap caused by the Ryzen's architectural efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins 13 of the 15 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Xeon Gold 6338T wins only 2.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X leads in multicore with 32172 versus 30430, a 5.7% advantage. In single-core, the Intel Xeon Gold 6338T leads with 4296 versus 2253, a 47.6% margin.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scores 436 versus 118 for the Xeon, a 269.5% difference.

Q: Are there any tests where the Intel Xeon Gold 6338T wins?

A: Yes, the Xeon wins both Cinebench R15 single-core (432 versus 353, an 18.3% delta) and Cinebench R23 single-core (4296 versus 2253, a 47.6% delta).

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57498, while the Intel Xeon Gold 6338T averages 60572. Both sit at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What is the closest head-to-head result?

A: Cinebench R23 multicore is the closest, with the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scoring 32172 versus 30430 for the Xeon, a 5.7% difference.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It packs 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T uses the Ice Lake architecture with the Ice Lake-SP codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The database lists no transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Ryzen 9 9900X provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a 64 MB L3 cache. The Xeon Gold 6338T offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a 36 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD chip therefore has more L3 cache overall, while the Intel chip matches L2 per core but has less L1 per core.

Memory architecture diverges sharply. The Ryzen 9 9900X supports DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Xeon Gold 6338T supports DDR4 over an eight-channel bus, delivering 204.8 GB/s. Despite the older memory type, the Xeon's eight-channel configuration gives it substantially higher memory bandwidth, a key consideration for server workloads.

PCI Express connectivity also differs. The AMD part provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with 64 lanes. The Ryzen 9 9900X includes integrated Radeon Graphics, whereas the Xeon Gold 6338T has no integrated graphics listed. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip does not.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Xeon Gold 6338T has double the cores at 24 and 48 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: 4.40 GHz for AMD versus 2.10 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks likewise favor AMD at 5.60 GHz versus 3.40 GHz for the Xeon.

Power envelopes go in the opposite direction. The Ryzen 9 9900X has a TDP of 120 watts, while the Xeon Gold 6338T has a TDP of 165 watts. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 4189. The Ryzen 9 9900X belongs to the 9000 series and the Ryzen 9 generation, while the Xeon Gold 6338T belongs to the Xeon Gold generation under Ice Lake-SP.

Memory support differs by type and channel count: DDR5 dual-channel for AMD versus DDR4 eight-channel for Intel. Both support ECC memory. The market segments differ as well: the Ryzen 9 9900X targets desktop use, while the Xeon Gold 6338T targets server and workstation use. The AMD processor was released on 2024-08-14 with a launch MSRP of $499, while the Intel processor was released on 2021-04-05 with no launch MSRP recorded. The AMD part number is 100-000000662, while no part number is listed for the Xeon.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins in nearly every measured category. It dominates in physics simulation, prime number finding, multithreaded throughput, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, and random string sorting. The PassMark single-thread score of 4672 versus 2348, a 99% advantage, shows the Ryzen also leads in general single-threaded execution despite losing the Cinebench single-core tests. For users running desktop applications, content creation workloads, or any task that benefits from high clock speeds and modern architecture, the Ryzen 9 9900X is the clear choice based on the recorded data.

The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T wins only in Cinebench single-core tests. This suggests an edge in certain legacy or specific single-threaded rendering workloads that use Cinebench's scoring methodology. Its 24 cores and 48 threads, combined with 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth from the eight-channel DDR4 setup, make it structurally suited to memory-intensive server tasks. The higher average benchmark score of 60572 versus 57498 for the AMD part, despite losing most head-to-head tests, indicates that the Xeon's overall profile in the database reflects strengths in workloads not captured by the direct comparisons.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is the better processor for the vast majority of workloads measured. Its 13 wins out of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, including a 63.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and a 52.6% lead in PassMark multithread, demonstrate broad superiority. The 269.5% advantage in find prime numbers and 191.5% lead in physics further reinforce this.

The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T should be considered by users who specifically prioritize Cinebench single-core performance, where it leads by 47.6% in R23 and 18.3% in R15. Its eight-channel memory architecture providing 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth also makes it a candidate for server environments where memory throughput matters more than the benchmarks directly show. Both processors sit at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating that either represents a high-end choice.

For desktop users, content creators, and anyone running general-purpose or multithreaded applications, the Ryzen 9 9900X wins decisively. For specialized server deployments where Cinebench single-core scores and eight-channel DDR4 bandwidth are priorities, the Xeon Gold 6338T has a defined, if narrow, role.