Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX vs Xeon Gold 6338

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

16 Cores32 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6338

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2021

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 48 MB).
  • Costs $1,841 less on MSRP ($1,149 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).
  • Delivers 158.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.8 vs 13.5 PassMark/$ ($1,149 MSRP vs $2,990 MSRP).
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (39,929 vs 40,225).
  • 36.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 205W.

Xeon Gold 6338

2021

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 205W instead of 280W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (48 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.5 vs 34.8 PassMark/$ ($2,990 MSRP vs $1,149 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6338 better than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX?
It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is ahead with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6338 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 48 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6338 is the better fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6338 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Xeon Gold 6338 is 160.2% more expensive on MSRP at $2,990 MSRP versus $1,149 MSRP, and it gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is also 158.3% better value on MSRP (34.8 vs 13.5 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon Gold 6338 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 16/32. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
1080p
low210 FPS186 FPS
medium170 FPS149 FPS
high142 FPS119 FPS
ultra104 FPS93 FPS
1440p
low186 FPS152 FPS
medium147 FPS118 FPS
high118 FPS90 FPS
ultra88 FPS72 FPS
4K
low88 FPS71 FPS
medium74 FPS59 FPS
high58 FPS46 FPS
ultra47 FPS37 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
1080p
low557 FPS233 FPS
medium486 FPS208 FPS
high395 FPS173 FPS
ultra351 FPS139 FPS
1440p
low479 FPS199 FPS
medium424 FPS181 FPS
high356 FPS154 FPS
ultra296 FPS119 FPS
4K
low299 FPS124 FPS
medium268 FPS115 FPS
high243 FPS101 FPS
ultra217 FPS82 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
1080p
low773 FPS969 FPS
medium638 FPS848 FPS
high569 FPS802 FPS
ultra494 FPS712 FPS
1440p
low600 FPS775 FPS
medium495 FPS669 FPS
high437 FPS632 FPS
ultra376 FPS561 FPS
4K
low431 FPS498 FPS
medium344 FPS393 FPS
high303 FPS350 FPS
ultra243 FPS285 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
1080p
low998 FPS884 FPS
medium970 FPS800 FPS
high823 FPS687 FPS
ultra725 FPS587 FPS
1440p
low847 FPS691 FPS
medium745 FPS606 FPS
high630 FPS518 FPS
ultra540 FPS440 FPS
4K
low594 FPS499 FPS
medium540 FPS446 FPS
high468 FPS390 FPS
ultra405 FPS336 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX and Xeon Gold 6338

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 39,929 points. Launch price was $1,149.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6338

The Xeon Gold 6338 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 40,225 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6338 offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6338 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6338 — a 29.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is built on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX scores 39,929 against the Xeon Gold 6338's 40,225 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 6338. L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX vs 48 MB on the Xeon Gold 6338.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
Cores / Threads
16 / 32
32 / 64+100%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+34%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.9 GHz+95%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
64 MB+33%
48 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
10 nm
Architecture
Castle Peak (2020)
PassMark
39,929
40,225
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX uses the sWRX8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6338 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 3200 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6338 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 2048 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6338) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6338).

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
Socket
sWRX8
LGA4189
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
3200
3200
Max RAM Capacity
2048
6144+200%
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+100%
64
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6338). Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX rivals Xeon Silver 4314; Xeon Gold 6338 rivals EPYC 7543.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX launched at $1149 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6338 debuted at $2990. On MSRP ($1149 vs $2990), the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is $1841 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX delivers 34.8 pts/$ vs 13.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6338 — making the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX the 88.4% better value option.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WXXeon Gold 6338
MSRP
$1149-62%
$2990
Performance per Dollar
34.8+158%
13.5
Release Date
2020
2021