CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 6738P vs Intel Xeon 6788P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 6738P is a 32-core server processor designed for modern data center workloads, supporting DDR5-6400 memory and PCIe 5.0 with a 270 W TDP.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Intel AMX accelerates matrix operations for inference and some training workloads.
- Integrated DSA, IAA, DLB, and QAT offload data movement and crypto tasks common in AI pipelines.
- AMX accelerates INT8 and BF16 matrix operations
- Suitable for small to medium AI inference models
- Large training workloads typically still use GPUs
Content Creation
Gaming
- Xeon 6738P is a server/workstation processor without integrated graphics.
- Single-core performance is respectable but gaming workloads are not the target use case.
- Consumer platforms typically offer better price/performance for gaming.
- Not designed for gaming use cases
- Single-threaded performance is modest compared to gaming CPUs
- Platform optimized for server I/O and RAS, not latency-sensitive gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 32 cores and 64 threads for high parallelism
- Large 144 MB L3 cache reduces memory latency
- Eight DDR5-6400 memory channels
- 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes for extensive I/O
- Integrated accelerators: AMX, DSA, IAA, DLB, QAT
- Multi-socket scalability up to 8 sockets
Cons
- High 270 W TDP requires robust cooling
- No integrated graphics
- Not intended for consumer desktop or gaming
- Xeon platforms incur higher total cost of ownership
- Limited upgrade path beyond the Xeon 6 series
Pros
- 86 cores and 172 threads for massive parallelism
- 336 MB L3 cache and 8-channel DDR5-6400 (MRDIMM up to 8000 MT/s)
- 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes with CXL 2.0 support
- AMX, QAT, DSA, DLB, IAA accelerators for AI, compression, and analytics
- Strong RAS and security features (TDX, SGX, MK-TME, etc.)
Cons
- High 350 W TDP and cooling requirements
- Very high platform and processor cost
- Limited single-threaded gains over prior-gen Xeons
- Software licensing costs can scale with core count
- Overkill for small business or branch-office servers
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Xeon 6738P
- AMD EPYC 8324PRival
Server
- AMD EPYC 9354PRival
Server
- AMD EPYC 9454PRival
Server
- AMD EPYC 9554Rival
Server
- AMD EPYC 9684XRival
Server
Slightly lower core count and TDP for smaller scale deployments.
Compare head-to-headMore balanced core count and power for moderate workloads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD EPYC 9254Alt
24-core option for lower-power requirements.
Intel Xeon 6788P
- AMD EPYC 9965Rival
High-Core-Count Server
- AMD EPYC 9755Rival
High-Core-Count Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6980PRival
High-End 2P Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6960PRival
High-End 2P Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6768PRival
Mainstream 2P/4P Server
48-core SKU with lower TDP and cost for balanced workloads.
Compare head-to-head32-core, higher-clock variant for less heavily threaded applications.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A strong data center processor with high core count, large L3 cache, and accelerators for AI and analytics, provided you can accommodate its 270 W TDP and platform requirements.
Best for: Enterprise servers, multi-socket workstations, and cloud infrastructure requiring high memory bandwidth, I/O expansion, and built-in accelerators.
Read the full reviewA no-compromise, high-core-count Xeon for enterprises that need maximum per-socket density and strong AI acceleration, but its 350 W TDP and premium pricing demand a careful TCO analysis.
Best for: 2S/4S/8S servers or high-end workstations running large in-memory databases, dense virtualization, or CPU-based AI inference where per-socket core count and memory bandwidth are critical.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Xeon 6738P or Intel Xeon 6788P?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Xeon 6788P comes out ahead with a score of 8.7/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Xeon 6738P or Intel Xeon 6788P?
For gaming, the Intel Xeon 6788P leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Xeon 6738P and Intel Xeon 6788P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon 6738P has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon 6738P (270 W), Intel Xeon 6788P (350 W).
Do Intel Xeon 6738P and Intel Xeon 6788P use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the FCLGA4710 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 6788P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Xeon 6738P (32 cores), Intel Xeon 6788P (86 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Xeon 6788P posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Xeon 6788P (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.