Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon Gold 6240

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon Gold 6240 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 / 12

21,845

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon Gold 6240

18 / 36

24,918

+14.1%

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.

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon Gold 6240 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.

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon Gold 6240: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 24,918).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6240, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $299 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6240 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6240

2019

Why buy it

✅+14.1% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Xeon Gold 6240?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6240 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600X 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 6240 is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.1% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $299 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6240 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 14.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon Gold 6240 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon Gold 6240

The Xeon Gold 6240 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 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. L2 cache: 18 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 24,918 points. Launch price was $2,445.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6240 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon Gold 6240 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6240 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6240 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21,845 against the Xeon Gold 6240's 24,918 — a 13.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6240. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6240.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600X	Xeon Gold 6240
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	18 / 36+200%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+18%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+42%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB+29%	24.75 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+2744%	18 MB
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	21,845	24,918+14%

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6240 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.