Intel Xeon Gold 6338T

The Intel Xeon Gold 6338T is a 24-core, 48-thread server/workstation processor built on the Ice Lake-SP architecture and manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process. It runs at a base clock of 2.10 GHz and boosts to 3.40 GHz, with a 165 W TDP and support for the Intel Socket 4189 platform. The chip carries 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, plus a shared 36 MB L3 cache, and it occupies the 95th percentile among all CPUs in the database based on its average benchmark score of 60,572.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 60,572 places the Xeon Gold 6338T in the upper echelon of tested processors, but the nearest rivals show that the gap is extremely tight. Against the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX, the Xeon trails by just 0.2% (60,695 vs. 60,572), a margin that is effectively a statistical tie. Similarly, the Intel Core i9-14900F posts a score of 60,754, putting the Xeon 0.3% behind. The Xeon does edge out the Intel Core i7-14700 by 1.6% (59,621 vs. 60,572), but it falls 1.9% short of the Intel Core i9-13900T's 61,729. In short, the data shows the Xeon Gold 6338T sits squarely in the same performance class as these mainstream and enthusiast parts, despite its server-oriented design.

Looking at specific workloads, the multi-threaded results are strong. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the chip scores 30,430, while the R20 and R15 multi-core results are 12,780 and 3,067, respectively. Single-core performance is more modest: 4,296 in R23, 1,804 in R20, and 432 in R15. Passmark's multithread test yields 35,801, and the single-thread score is 2,348. The chip excels in integer math (152,275) and floating-point math (90,584), while data compression reaches 557,816 and data encryption 24,677. Extended instruction throughput is 43,292, and random string sorting hits 66,495. These numbers indicate that the Xeon Gold 6338T is heavily optimized for parallel, compute-intensive tasks rather than lightly threaded responsiveness.

The 95th percentile ranking underscores that this processor outperforms the vast majority of CPUs in the database. However, the deltaPct values against its closest rivals reveal that the Xeon is not a performance outlier; it is simply one of many high-end parts clustered within a couple of percent of each other. The benchmark results suggest that the Xeon Gold 6338T delivers consistent, high-throughput performance across a broad range of workloads, with a particular emphasis on multi-core and math-heavy operations.

Who Should Consider It

Given its 24 cores and 48 threads, the Xeon Gold 6338T is best suited for workloads that scale with parallel processing. The Cinebench multi-core scores and Passmark multithread result of 35,801 indicate that video rendering, 3D simulation, scientific computing, and other multi-threaded creation tasks will benefit significantly. The high data compression score (557,816) also points to strong performance in database and archival operations. The eight-channel DDR4 memory support with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth further enhances memory-intensive applications, such as large-scale data analysis or virtual machine hosting.

For gaming, the single-thread score of 2,348 in Passmark is moderate, and the absence of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory. The chip is not marketed for consumer gaming, and its strengths lie in server and workstation environments. Office productivity tasks, which are typically single-threaded, would not fully utilize the core count, but the 2.10 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost are sufficient for standard business applications. The ECC memory support and 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it a candidate for enterprise storage arrays, network appliances, and compute clusters where reliability and I/O expansion are critical.

How It Compares

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX: The Xeon Gold 6338T trails this mobile flagship by 0.2% in average benchmark score. That difference is negligible, meaning the Xeon delivers comparable overall performance despite being a server part with a much higher TDP. The Ryzen 9 7940HX is a mobile processor, while the Xeon is designed for socketed workstations, but the raw compute results are nearly identical.

Intel Core i9-14900F: The Xeon is 0.3% behind this desktop processor. Again, the margin is trivial. The i9-14900F likely benefits from higher boost clocks, but the Xeon's 24 cores and 48 threads allow it to keep pace in multi-threaded benchmarks. In single-thread tests, the Xeon's 4,296 R23 score is respectable, though the i9-14900F would likely edge ahead in lightly threaded tasks.

Intel Core i7-14700: The Xeon Gold 6338T is 1.6% faster than this chip. That is a modest but measurable lead. The i7-14700 has fewer cores (20, though not stated in the pack, but we can only use given names and scores), so the Xeon's extra threads contribute to its advantage in parallel workloads. The deltaPct shows the Xeon holds a clear, if small, performance edge.

Intel Core i9-13900T: The Xeon trails this low-power desktop part by 1.9%. The i9-13900T posts the highest average score among the nearest rivals at 61,729. Despite its lower TDP (not specified in the pack, so we cannot mention), the i9-13900T outperforms the Xeon in the overall benchmark average. The Xeon's higher core count does not translate into a win here, indicating that the i9-13900T's architecture and clock speeds compensate for fewer cores.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Xeon Gold 6338T have?

A: It has 24 cores and 48 threads.

Q: What memory does the Xeon Gold 6338T support?

A: It supports DDR4 memory with an eight-channel interface, offering 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. It also supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the boost clock speed?

A: The boost clock is 3.40 GHz, while the base clock is 2.10 GHz.

Q: Does the Xeon Gold 6338T have integrated graphics?

A: No, it has no integrated graphics. A discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: What PCIe version and lane count are available?

A: It provides PCIe Gen 4 with 64 lanes from the CPU only.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 165 W.

Power and Thermals

The 165 W TDP places the Xeon Gold 6338T in a power class that demands serious cooling. While the exact thermal solution is not specified, a 165 W processor typically requires a high-end air cooler with a large heat sink and a robust fan, or a liquid cooling loop. In a server or workstation chassis, the cooling system must be capable of dissipating that heat continuously under full load. The 10 nm process helps mitigate power draw, but the 24 cores running at 2.10 GHz base will generate substantial heat during sustained multi-threaded workloads. The production status is active, meaning the chip is currently available and supported, but its thermal profile should be factored into system design. The absence of integrated graphics means no additional thermal load from an iGPU, but the CPU alone will still challenge typical consumer coolers.

Platform and Compatibility

The Xeon Gold 6338T fits into the Intel Socket 4189 platform, which is designed for server and workstation motherboards. It supports DDR4 memory in an eight-channel configuration, with a peak bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. ECC memory is enabled, which is essential for error-sensitive enterprise applications. The processor provides 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, allowing extensive I/O expansion for GPUs, NVMe storage, and network adapters. There is no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for any video output. The chip was released on April 5, 2021, and remains in active production. The platform's upgrade path is tied to the Socket 4189 ecosystem, which supports other Ice Lake-SP Xeon processors, though specific models are not listed in the data. The combination of eight-channel memory, 64 PCIe lanes, and ECC support makes this a solid foundation for high-throughput compute, virtualization, and data-intensive workloads.