Intel Core i7-14700 vs Intel Xeon Gold 6338T Comparison

The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T and Intel Core i7-14700 are both 10 nm Intel processors, but they target different segments: the Xeon is a 24-core server/workstation part with 48 threads, while the i7 is a 20-core desktop chip with 28 threads. Head-to-head benchmark data shows the i7 wins 14 of 17 tests, yet the Xeon holds a slight overall average-score edge (60572 vs 59621, a 1.6% difference). This split reflects the Xeon’s strengths in specific server-oriented workloads and the i7’s dominance in general-purpose and single-threaded tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-14700 wins decisively across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7 scores 35287 against the Xeon’s 30430, a 13.8% advantage. The same 13.8% delta appears in R15 multi-core (3556 vs 3067) and R20 multi-core (14820 vs 12780). Single-core results follow the same pattern: R23 single-core is 4981 vs 4296 (13.8% faster), R20 single-core is 2092 vs 1804, and R15 single-core is 502 vs 432. These consistent deltas indicate that the i7’s higher boost clock (5.40 GHz vs 3.40 GHz) and newer Raptor Lake architecture deliver a uniform multi-threaded and single-threaded performance uplift in rendering-style workloads.

Outside Cinebench, the i7 also leads in most Passmark tests. Data encryption shows the i7 at 30569 versus the Xeon’s 24677, a 19.3% margin. Floating point math: 109880 vs 90584 (17.6% faster). Integer math: 159034 vs 152275, a narrower 4.3% edge. The i7 wins multithread (41524 vs 35801, 13.8% faster) and physics (2307 vs 1160, a massive 49.7% advantage). Prime number finding is 170 vs 118, a 30.6% win for the i7. Single-thread performance is lopsided: 4270 vs 2348, a 45% gap.

The Xeon Gold 6338T claims only three victories, but they are telling. Data compression: 557816 vs 514933, an 8.3% win. Extended instructions: 43292 vs 29405, a dominant 47.2% lead. Random string sorting: 66495 vs 55958, an 18.8% margin. These workloads rely on the Xeon’s higher core count (24 vs 20) and larger shared L3 cache (36 MB vs 33 MB), and they reflect server-oriented processing patterns like compression and sorting that benefit from many threads and high memory throughput.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-14700 is the clear winner for general-purpose computing. It outperforms the Xeon in 14 of 17 benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, all single-thread metrics, and most Passmark integer, floating-point, and encryption workloads. Its 5.40 GHz boost clock and 20-core hybrid design (with 28 threads) give it a decisive edge in tasks that scale with clock speed and per-core efficiency. For desktop users, content creators, and developers running typical multi-threaded applications, the i7 is the superior choice based on the data.

The Xeon Gold 6338T, however, is not obsolete. Its 48 threads and 204.8 GB/s eight-channel memory bandwidth make it stronger in data compression, extended instruction sets, and random string sorting—workloads that benefit from massive parallelism and memory bandwidth. Its average benchmark score (60572) is 1.6% higher than the i7’s (59621), and it sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, matching the i7’s percentile. The Xeon is the right pick for server or workstation environments where those specific workloads dominate, and where the 165 W TDP (versus 65 W) is acceptable.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 10 nm process node and Intel foundry, but their architectures diverge sharply. The Xeon Gold 6338T uses the Ice Lake-SP architecture, part of the Xeon Gold generation, while the i7-14700 uses Raptor Lake-R, from the Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) line. The Xeon has 24 physical cores and 48 threads; the i7 has 20 cores and 28 threads. Base clocks are identical at 2.10 GHz, but the i7 boosts to 5.40 GHz versus the Xeon’s 3.40 GHz. TDP differs substantially: 165 W for the Xeon, 65 W for the i7.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Per-core L1 is 64 KB on the Xeon and 80 KB on the i7; L2 per core is 1 MB versus 2 MB. Shared L3 is 36 MB on the Xeon and 33 MB on the i7. The Xeon uses an eight-channel memory bus with DDR4 support and a rated bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s; the i7 uses a dual-channel bus supporting both DDR4 and DDR5, with no bandwidth figure listed. PCIe lanes: the Xeon offers Gen 4 with 64 lanes (CPU only), while the i7 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The i7 includes integrated UHD Graphics 770; the Xeon has none. The i7’s die size is 257 mm²; the Xeon’s die size is not listed. Both support ECC memory. The i7 has a part number SRN40; the Xeon does not.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Xeon Gold 6338T has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Core i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The i7-14700 is significantly faster. In Passmark single-thread, it scores 4270 versus the Xeon’s 2348, a 45% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core is 4981 vs 4296 (13.8% faster).

Q: In which benchmarks does the Xeon Gold 6338T outperform the i7-14700?

A: The Xeon wins in data compression (557816 vs 514933, 8.3% higher), extended instructions (43292 vs 29405, 47.2% higher), and random string sorting (66495 vs 55958, 18.8% higher).

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Xeon has an average benchmark score of 60572, while the i7 scores 59621. The Xeon is 1.6% higher, and both sit in the 95th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Does the i7-14700 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Xeon Gold 6338T and the i7-14700 support ECC memory.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the i7-14700?

A: The i7-14700 has a launch MSRP of $384. The Xeon Gold 6338T has no listed launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14700 wins in every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23) for both multi-core and single-core, with a uniform 13.8% margin. It also wins in Passmark data encryption, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, prime number finding, and single-thread. These results cover typical desktop productivity, 3D rendering, physics simulation, and general computation. The i7’s higher boost clock and per-core efficiency make it the better choice for interactive work, gaming, and software development where single-thread performance matters.

The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T wins specifically in data compression, extended instruction handling, and random string sorting. These workloads often appear in server-side tasks such as database compression, large-scale data processing, and cryptographic or specialized instruction streams. The Xeon’s 48 threads and eight-channel memory bandwidth (204.8 GB/s) give it a clear edge in memory-bound, highly parallel operations. For a server rack handling compression-heavy services or scientific computing with extended instruction sets, the Xeon is the data-backed winner.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Xeon 24, i7 20
• Threads: Xeon 48, i7 28
• Boost Clock: Xeon 3.40 GHz, i7 5.40 GHz
• TDP: Xeon 165 W, i7 65 W
• Socket: Xeon Intel Socket 4189, i7 Intel Socket 1700
• Architecture: Xeon Ice Lake, i7 Raptor Lake
• Codename: Xeon Ice Lake-SP, i7 Raptor Lake-R
• Generation: Xeon Gold (Ice Lake-SP), i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh)
• Die Size: i7 257 mm² (Xeon not listed)
• L1 Cache (per core): Xeon 64 KB, i7 80 KB
• L2 Cache (per core): Xeon 1 MB, i7 2 MB
• L3 Cache (shared): Xeon 36 MB, i7 33 MB
• Memory Support: Xeon DDR4, i7 DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory Bus: Xeon eight-channel, i7 dual-channel
• Memory Bandwidth: Xeon 204.8 GB/s (i7 not listed)
• PCIe: Xeon Gen 4, 64 lanes; i7 Gen 5, 16 lanes
• Integrated Graphics: Xeon none, i7 UHD Graphics 770
• Market Segment: Xeon Server/Workstation, i7 Desktop
• Part Number: i7 SRN40 (Xeon not listed)
• Launch MSRP: i7 $384 (Xeon not listed)