Xeon D-1557 vs Xeon Gold 5222

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.

Xeon D-1557 vs Xeon Gold 5222 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.

Xeon D-1557 vs Xeon Gold 5222: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon D-1557

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 105W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5222 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,285 vs 9,348).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 17 MB).

Xeon Gold 5222

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+1000% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

❌133.3% higher power demand at 105W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5222 better than Xeon D-1557?

Yes. Xeon Gold 5222 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 5222 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 5222 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1000% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 5222 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Gold 5222 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon Gold 5222 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016), 1000% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 1.5 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon D-1557 vs Xeon Gold 5222 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1557

The Xeon D-1557 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,285 points. Launch price was $694.

Xeon Gold 5222

The Xeon Gold 5222 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 9,348 points. Launch price was $1,221.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1557 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5222 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon D-1557 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Xeon D-1557 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5222 — a 60% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5222 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Xeon D-1557 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5222 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1557 scores 9,285 against the Xeon Gold 5222's 9,348 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 5222. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1557 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5222.

Feature	Xeon D-1557	Xeon Gold 5222
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+200%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	3.9 GHz+86%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+153%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	16.5 MB+1000%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+6300%	4 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	9,285	9,348

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1557 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5222 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.