Core i5-13450HX vs Xeon Gold 6242

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.

Core i5-13450HX vs Xeon Gold 6242 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-13450HX vs Xeon Gold 6242: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-13450HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,869 vs 24,994).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6242, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.

Xeon Gold 6242

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13450HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i5-13450HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6242 better than Core i5-13450HX?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6242 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13450HX is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6242 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon Gold 6242 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Gold 6242 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-13450HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13450HX vs Xeon Gold 6242 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-13450HX

The Core i5-13450HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 20 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,869 points. Launch price was $326.

Xeon Gold 6242

The Xeon Gold 6242 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 24,994 points. Launch price was $2,529.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13450HX packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6242 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13450HX versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13450HX (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-13450HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6242 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13450HX scores 24,869 against the Xeon Gold 6242's 24,994 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13450HX vs 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242.

Feature	Core i5-13450HX	Xeon Gold 6242
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	16 / 32+60%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+18%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	22 MB+10%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	16 MB+700%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	24,869	24,994

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6242 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.