Intel Core i7-13790F vs Intel Xeon Gold 6338T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a decisive picture in favor of the Intel Core i7-13790F, which claims 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head victories. The most lopsided result comes in PassMark physics, where the Core i7-13790F scores 3017 against the Xeon Gold 6338T's 1160, a 160.1% advantage. That margin is extraordinary and suggests the desktop chip's architecture handles physics simulation workloads far more efficiently.

Single-thread performance is another area of clear dominance. The Core i7-13790F posts 4212 in both PassMark single-thread tests, beating the Xeon's 2348 by 79.4%. Cinebench single-core results follow the same pattern: R15 shows 503 versus 432 (16.4% ahead), R20 shows 2099 versus 1804 (16.4% ahead), and R23 shows 4998 versus 4296 (16.3% ahead). These consistent deltas across multiple Cinebench versions confirm the Core i7's per-core advantage is not a measurement artifact.

Multi-core workloads also favor the desktop chip, though by narrower margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core i7-13790F scores 35404 versus 30430 for the Xeon, a 16.3% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows 14869 versus 12780 (16.3% ahead), and R15 multi-core shows 3568 versus 3067 (16.3% ahead). PassMark multithread reinforces this with 44737 versus 35801, a 25% advantage.

The encryption test delivers the second-largest win for the Core i7-13790F. Its PassMark data encryption score of 31703 beats the Xeon's 24677 by 28.5%. Floating-point math also favors the desktop chip: 110512 versus 90584, a 22% lead. Prime number finding shows 207 versus 118, a 75.4% gap that highlights the Core i7's superior integer throughput in that specific workload.

The Xeon Gold 6338T does secure three wins, all in specialized PassMark workloads. Extended instructions show the largest victory: 43292 versus 34828, a 19.6% margin for the Xeon. Random string sorting goes to the Xeon at 66495 versus 58607, an 11.9% edge. Integer math is nearly a tie, with the Xeon edging ahead 152275 versus 151416, just 0.6% higher.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-13790F is the clear choice for general-purpose compute, creative workloads, and tasks that benefit from high clock speeds and strong per-core performance. Its single-core Cinebench scores lead by roughly 16% across R15, R20, and R23, and the PassMark single-thread gap widens to 79.4%. The physics test result is particularly telling: the 160.1% margin indicates that simulation and gaming physics workloads will run dramatically better on the desktop chip.

The Core i7 also wins in encryption, floating-point math, and prime number generation. These results suggest cryptography, scientific computing with heavy floating-point operations, and number-theoretic algorithms all favor the 13th Gen processor. The PassMark multithread score of 44737 versus 35801, a 25% lead, means even heavily threaded applications generally run faster on the Core i7 despite the Xeon having more physical cores.

The Xeon Gold 6338T wins in three narrow or specialized categories. Extended instructions, which tests SIMD and vector processing capabilities, shows a 19.6% advantage. This could matter for workloads that heavily use AVX-512 or similar instruction sets, though the Core i7's broader benchmark wins suggest most real-world tasks will not hit this scenario. Random string sorting, a memory-intensive and pointer-chasing workload, favors the Xeon by 11.9%. Integer math is essentially tied at 0.6%, making that workload a wash between the two.

For server deployments requiring high memory bandwidth, the Xeon has a structural advantage: its eight-channel memory bus supports 204.8 GB/s, while the Core i7 is limited to dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5. However, the benchmark data does not show this translating into wins outside of the three noted tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families. The Core i7-13790F is Raptor Lake-S, built on a 10 nm process with a 257 mm² die. The Xeon Gold 6338T is Ice Lake-SP, also on a 10 nm process but with no die size recorded. Both use Intel as the foundry.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Xeon Gold 6338T packs 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Core i7-13790F has 16 cores and 24 threads. The Xeon's extra cores do not translate into benchmark victories, as the Core i7 wins multi-core Cinebench and PassMark multithread anyway. The clock speeds explain why: the Core i7 boosts to 5.20 GHz while the Xeon tops out at 3.40 GHz, both starting from a 2.10 GHz base.

Cache hierarchies differ. The Core i7 uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The Xeon uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's larger L3 pool does not overcome the Core i7's higher clock speeds in most tests.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Core i7 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, with no ECC. The Xeon supports only DDR4 but runs eight-channel with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth and full ECC support. This makes the Xeon the choice for memory-heavy server workloads where data integrity and bandwidth matter more than raw compute speed.

PCIe capabilities also diverge. The Core i7 offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon provides Gen 4 with 64 lanes. The Xeon's lane count suits multi-GPU or high-density storage servers, while the Core i7's Gen 5 standard supports faster individual devices.

The socket difference is complete: the Core i7 uses Intel Socket 1700, the Xeon uses Intel Socket 4189. These are not interchangeable platforms. The Core i7 targets desktop, the Xeon targets server/workstation. The Xeon also has a 165 W TDP versus 65 W for the Core i7, though the benchmark wins favor the lower-power chip.

The Core i7 launched on 2023-02-09 with a launch MSRP of $441. The Xeon launched earlier on 2021-04-05 with no launch MSRP recorded. Both remain in active production. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data indicates the Intel Core i7-13790F is the superior processor for the vast majority of workloads. It wins 14 of 17 benchmark comparisons, including all Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests, all PassMark multithread and single-thread tests, encryption, floating-point math, physics, and prime number finding. The only Xeon victories come in extended instructions, random string sorting, and a 0.6% edge in integer math.

Users should choose the Core i7-13790F if they need strong single-thread performance, fast multi-core rendering, or efficient physics simulation. Its 5.20 GHz boost clock and 16.3% Cinebench multi-core lead over the Xeon make it the better option for desktop productivity, content creation, and gaming-adjacent compute. The 79.4% single-thread advantage in PassMark seals this recommendation for interactive and latency-sensitive tasks.

The Xeon Gold 6338T should be selected only for specific server scenarios. Its ECC memory support, eight-channel memory bus, and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth make it suitable for data-center deployments where those features are mandatory. Its 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes allow extensive expansion. The 19.6% extended instructions win and 11.9% random string sorting win show it has niches, but these are narrow.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall picture. The Core i7-13790F averages 63080, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon averages 60572, in the 92nd percentile. The Core i7's nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX at 63173 (0.1% higher), AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G at 63331 (0.4% higher), AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 at 62839 (0.4% lower), and Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX at 62738 (0.5% lower). The Xeon's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-13900 at 60676 (0.2% higher), AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX at 60099 (0.8% lower), AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX at 60104 (0.8% lower), and Intel Core i9-14900F at 60008 (0.9% lower).

For most buyers, the Core i7-13790F is the clear winner. For server architects requiring ECC, eight-channel memory, and massive PCIe lane counts, the Xeon Gold 6338T remains relevant despite its benchmark losses.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i7-13790F has 16 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Why does the Core i7-13790F win multi-core benchmarks despite having fewer cores?

A: The Core i7 boosts to 5.20 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.40 GHz, and it wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 16.3% (35404 versus 30430) and PassMark multithread by 25% (44737 versus 35801).

Q: Does the Xeon Gold 6338T win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark extended instructions by 19.6% (43292 versus 34828), random string sorting by 11.9% (66495 versus 58607), and integer math by 0.6% (152275 versus 151416).

Q: What memory features does each processor support?

A: The Core i7-13790F supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode with no ECC. The Xeon Gold 6338T supports only DDR4 but runs eight-channel with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support.

Q: What are the socket requirements?

A: The Core i7-13790F uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Xeon Gold 6338T uses Intel Socket 4189. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which processor has higher PCIe lanes?

A: The Xeon Gold 6338T has 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Core i7-13790F has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.