Core i9-7940X vs Xeon Gold 6142

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 i9-7940X vs Xeon Gold 6142 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 i9-7940X vs Xeon Gold 6142: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-7940X

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6142 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,452 vs 25,490).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6142, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,399 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6142 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6142

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Draws 150W instead of 165W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6142 better than Core i9-7940X?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6142 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-7940X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6142 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6142 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6142 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon Gold 6142 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7940X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.

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

Xeon Gold 6142 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 14/28 and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-7940X vs Xeon Gold 6142 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-7940X

The Core i9-7940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 25,452 points. Launch price was $1,399.

Xeon Gold 6142

The Xeon Gold 6142 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 25,490 points. Launch price was $2,946.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7940X packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6142 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6142 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7940X versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6142 — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-7940X (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i9-7940X scores 25,452 against the Xeon Gold 6142's 25,490 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6142. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-7940X vs 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 6142.

Feature	Core i9-7940X	Xeon Gold 6142
Cores / Threads	14 / 28	16 / 32+14%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+19%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+19%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	22 MB+14%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	16 MB+1500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	25,452	25,490

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7940X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6142 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.