EPYC 4345P vs Xeon Gold 6242R

AMD

EPYC 4345P

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2025
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6242R

20 Cores40 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2020
Similar parts
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EPYC 4345P vs Xeon Gold 6242R Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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.

EPYC 4345P vs Xeon Gold 6242R 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.

EPYC 4345P vs Xeon Gold 6242R: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 4345P

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $2,648 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
  • Delivers 804.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 109.4 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 205W, a 140W reduction.
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (36,006 vs 36,011).

Xeon Gold 6242R

2020

Why buy it

  • +0% higher PassMark.
  • 71.4% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 4345P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 109.4 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 215.4% higher power demand at 205W vs 65W.
  • Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while EPYC 4345P moves to AM5 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while EPYC 4345P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 4345P better than Xeon Gold 6242R?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 4345P is ahead with a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6242R pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6242R is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 4345P is the better buy right now. EPYC 4345P comes in $2,648 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $2,977 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6242R is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 804.7% better value on MSRP (109.4 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 4345P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 4345P vs Xeon Gold 6242R Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 4345P

The EPYC 4345P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 May 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Grado (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 36,006 points. Launch price was $329.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6242R

The Xeon Gold 6242R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 36,011 points. Launch price was $2,529.

Processing Power

The EPYC 4345P packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242R offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6242R has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.5 GHz on the EPYC 4345P versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R — a 29.2% clock advantage for the EPYC 4345P (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The EPYC 4345P uses the Grado (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 4345P scores 36,006 against the Xeon Gold 6242R's 36,011 — a 0% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242R. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 4345P vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R.

FeatureEPYC 4345PXeon Gold 6242R
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
20 / 40+150%
Boost Clock
5.5 GHz+34%
4.1 GHz
Base Clock
3.8 GHz+23%
3.1 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)
35.75 MB+12%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
20 MB+1900%
Process
4 nm-71%
14 nm
Architecture
Grado (2025)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
36,006
36,011
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 4345P uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5600 on the EPYC 4345P versus 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R — the EPYC 4345P supports 90.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6242R supports up to 1024 of RAM compared to 128 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (EPYC 4345P) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6242R). PCIe lanes: 28 (EPYC 4345P) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6242R) — the Xeon Gold 6242R offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM5 (EPYC 4345P) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R).

FeatureEPYC 4345PXeon Gold 6242R
Socket
AM5
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
5600+91%
2933
Max RAM Capacity
128
1024+700%
RAM Channels
2
6+200%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
28
48+71%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 4345P) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6242R). The EPYC 4345P includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics), while the Xeon Gold 6242R requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: EPYC 4345P rivals Xeon E-2488; Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302.

FeatureEPYC 4345PXeon Gold 6242R
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon Graphics
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V, IOMMU
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 4345P was priced at $329, while the Xeon Gold 6242R came in at $2977. On launch pricing ($329 vs $2977), EPYC 4345P was $2648 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 4345P delivers 109.4 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6242R — making the EPYC 4345P the 160.2% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 4345PXeon Gold 6242R
MSRP
$329-89%
$2977
Performance per Dollar
109.4+804%
12.1
Release Date
2025
2020

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