Xeon Gold 6538N vs Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
2023
32 cores / 64 threads, 350 Watt
62.13
+120%
Xeon Gold 6538N
2023
32 cores / 64 threads, 205 Watt
28.26

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X outperforms Xeon Gold 6538N by a whopping 120% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking14164
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation20.7421.85
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency16.8013.05
Architecture codenameStorm Peak (2023)Emerald Rapids (2023)
Release date19 October 2023 (1 year ago)14 December 2023 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$2,499$3,351

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon Gold 6538N has 5% better value for money than Ryzen Threadripper 7970X.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores32 (Dotriaconta-Core)32 (Dotriaconta-Core)
Threads6464
Base clock speed4 GHz2.1 GHz
Boost clock speed5.3 GHz4.1 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)2 MB (per core)
L3 cache128 MB (shared)60 MB (shared)
Chip lithography5 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size4x 71 mm22x 763 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data85 °C
Number of transistors26,280 millionno data
64 bit support++
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration12
SocketsTR5FCLGA4677
Power consumption (TDP)350 Watt205 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® AMX, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
TSX-+
Precision Boost 2+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+
SGXno dataYes with Intel® SPS
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR5DDR5-5200
Maximum memory sizeno data4 TB
Max memory channelsno data8
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N.

PCIe version5.05.0
PCI Express lanes4880

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X 62.13
+120%
Xeon Gold 6538N 28.26

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X 98685
+120%
Xeon Gold 6538N 44895

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 62.13 28.26
Recency 19 October 2023 14 December 2023
Power consumption (TDP) 350 Watt 205 Watt

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X has a 119.9% higher aggregate performance score.

Xeon Gold 6538N, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 month, and 70.7% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon Gold 6538N in performance tests.

Note that Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a desktop processor while Xeon Gold 6538N is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 7970X and Xeon Gold 6538N, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
Intel Xeon Gold 6538N
Xeon Gold 6538N

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Community ratings

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