Intel Xeon Gold 6338N Processor

Intel Xeon Gold 6338N — 32 cores and 64 threads at 2.2 GHz base / 3.5 GHz turbo, 48 MB cache, 185 W TDP, FCLGA4189. Supplied from stock with a 1-year warranty.

The network-optimised 32-core Gold of the Ice Lake stack

The 6338N belongs to the 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable (Ice Lake-SP) family, launched in Q2 2021 on a 10 nm process. It pairs 32 cores / 64 threads with a 2.2 GHz base and a 3.5 GHz turbo ceiling on a 185 W envelope, plus PCIe 4.0 with 64 lanes. The chip is rated 2S (two sockets) with three UPI links at 11.2 GT/s, and it runs DDR4-2667 across eight channels with a 6 TB per-socket ceiling - Intel Optane persistent memory 200 series is supported alongside DDR4. Intel Speed Select comes as Core Power, Turbo Frequency and Base Frequency variants, with an asymmetric high-priority / low-priority partition of 18 cores at 2.4 GHz and 14 cores at 1.9 GHz. Embedded Options are Available, making the part usable in long-life network appliances.

Security and acceleration are Ice Lake staples: AVX-512 with two FMA units, DL Boost, TSX-NI and VMD, Intel Crypto Acceleration, Resource Director Technology and Speed Shift, plus Total Memory Encryption, Run Sure reliability and Platform Firmware Resilience. SGX is supported with Intel SPS and a 64 GB enclave page cache. Thermal rating is TCASE 83 °C in a 77.5 mm × 56.5 mm package.

Technical specifications

Servers that commonly take this processor

The 6338N fits any FCLGA4189 (Whitley) platform whose BIOS supports 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable parts, in single- or dual-CPU two-socket systems. Typical systems that run it include:

• Dell PowerEdge R750 / R650
• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Plus / DL360 Gen10 Plus
• Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 V2 / SR630 V2
• Two-socket network-appliance, edge and storage chassis built around the Whitley platform

Because the part is rated 2S with three UPI links, it can pair with a second 6338N in dual-socket nodes - check that the platform BIOS and the second CPU stepping are compatible before ordering, and make sure the chassis cooling is rated for two 185 W processors.

How it compares across generations

Against its standard-bin sibling, the Gold 6338, the 6338N keeps the same 32-core / 64-thread / 48 MB layout but runs 200 MHz higher at base (2.2 vs 2.0 GHz) and 300 MHz higher at turbo (3.5 vs 3.2 GHz) for 20 W less (185 vs 205 W); the trade-off is memory speed, capped at DDR4-2667 instead of 3200. Against the Platinum 8352M it matches the 185 W draw and the 3.5 GHz turbo while giving up 100 MHz at base (2.2 vs 2.3 GHz) and six degrees of TCASE headroom (83 vs 77 °C); against the Platinum 8352Y it runs the same 2.2 GHz base with a 100 MHz higher turbo for 20 W less. The N suffix marks the network-optimised bin: Embedded Options are Available, and the 18/14 high-priority / low-priority split gives NEBS-style appliances a pool of faster cores for the data plane.

How each processor is tested before it ships

1. Visual inspection of the heat spreader, capacitors and substrate on arrival.
2. Thermal paste residue cleaned from the IHS; socket contact pads checked under magnification.
3. sSpec marking (SRKY2) verified against the order line before testing.
4. Full-core load test on an LGA4189 diagnostic board, confirming rated clocks and cache.
5. Re-run of the memory controller stress pass, then anti-static packing for dispatch.

Warranty and lead time

Every 6338N carries a 1-year warranty covering defects in workmanship and function; a verified faulty unit is replaced or refunded with return shipping covered. New units come in Intel tray packaging (order code CD8068904722302); tested pull units are labelled as such and priced separately. In-stock units typically ship within 2-3 business days after payment confirmation.

Purchasing and volume enquiries

Pricing is quotation-based rather than fixed. Send the quantity, condition preference (new or tested) and delivery destination, and we reply with a firm quote including current stock and lead time. Volume and project pricing is available for multi-unit orders.