Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6342

Intel

Xeon E7-4880 v2

15 Cores30 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6342

24 Cores48 Thrd230 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6342 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.

Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6342 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 E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6342: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E7-4880 v2

2014

Why buy it

  • +2.9% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 130W instead of 230W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6342 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.3 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($6,619 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6342

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $3,642 less on MSRP ($2,977 MSRP vs $6,619 MSRP).
  • Delivers 116.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.8 vs 7.3 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $6,619 MSRP).
  • 60% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 40) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (47,076 vs 48,435).
  • 76.9% higher power demand at 230W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6342 better than Xeon E7-4880 v2?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6342 is ahead with a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-4880 v2 pulls ahead with 2.9% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-4880 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.9% better PassMark, backed by 15 cores and 30 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6342 is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6342 comes in $3,642 cheaper on MSRP at $2,977 MSRP versus $6,619 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E7-4880 v2 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.9% better PassMark. It is also 116.1% better value on MSRP (15.8 vs 7.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon Gold 6342 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2014) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6342 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E7-4880 v2

The Xeon E7-4880 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 15 cores and 30 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 48,435 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6342

The Xeon Gold 6342 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 230 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 47,076 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Xeon E7-4880 v2 packs 15 cores / 30 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6342 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 6342 has 9 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E7-4880 v2 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6342 — a 12.1% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6342 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6342 is built on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7-4880 v2 scores 48,435 against the Xeon Gold 6342's 47,076 — a 2.8% lead for the Xeon E7-4880 v2. L3 cache: 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6342.

FeatureXeon E7-4880 v2Xeon Gold 6342
Cores / Threads
15 / 30
24 / 48+60%
Boost Clock
3.1 GHz
3.5 GHz+13%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache
37.5 MB+4%
36 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
Process
22 nm
10 nm-55%
Architecture
Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark
48,435+3%
47,076
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-4880 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6342 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Xeon E7-4880 v2 versus 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6342 — the Xeon Gold 6342 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6342 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 1536 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E7-4880 v2) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6342). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E7-4880 v2) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6342) — the Xeon Gold 6342 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602-J (Xeon E7-4880 v2) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6342).

FeatureXeon E7-4880 v2Xeon Gold 6342
Socket
LGA2011
LGA4189
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
1600
3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity
1536
6144+300%
RAM Channels
4
8+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
64+60%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6342 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon E7-4880 v2 rivals AMD Opteron 6380; Xeon Gold 6342 rivals EPYC 7443.

FeatureXeon E7-4880 v2Xeon Gold 6342
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E7-4880 v2 was priced at $6619, while the Xeon Gold 6342 came in at $2977. On launch pricing ($6619 vs $2977), Xeon Gold 6342 was $3642 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E7-4880 v2 delivers 7.3 pts/$ vs 15.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6342 — making the Xeon Gold 6342 the 73.5% better value option.

FeatureXeon E7-4880 v2Xeon Gold 6342
MSRP
$6619
$2977-55%
Performance per Dollar
7.3
15.8+116%
Release Date
2014
2021

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