Xeon Gold 5117 vs Core Ultra 5 135U
Xeon Gold 5117
Core Ultra 5 135U
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 5117
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 135U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5117 | Core Ultra 5 135U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-P (2023) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5117 | Core Ultra 5 135U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 5117 and Core Ultra 5 135U
Xeon Gold 5117
The Xeon Gold 5117 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. L2 cache: 14 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 16,897 points. Launch price was $800.
Core Ultra 5 135U
The Core Ultra 5 135U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,900 points. Launch price was $332.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 5117 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 135U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Xeon Gold 5117 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5117 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 135U — a 44.4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 135U (base: 2 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5117 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 135U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5117 scores 16,897 against the Core Ultra 5 135U's 16,900 — a 0% lead for the Core Ultra 5 135U. L3 cache: 19.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 5117 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 135U.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5117 | Core Ultra 5 135U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 28+17% | 12 / 14 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 4.4 GHz+57% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz+25% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 19.25 MB+60% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 14 MB+600% | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Meteor Lake-P (2023) |
| PassMark | 16,897 | 16,900 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,315 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,948 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 5117 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 135U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2400 on the Xeon Gold 5117 versus DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 5 135U — the Xeon Gold 5117 supports 199.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5117 supports up to 768 of RAM compared to 96 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 5117) vs 2 (Core Ultra 5 135U). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 5117) vs 20 (Core Ultra 5 135U) — the Xeon Gold 5117 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 5117) and SoC (Core Ultra 5 135U).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5117 | Core Ultra 5 135U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | FCBGA2049 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | 2400+47900% | DDR5-5600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 | 96 GB+13107100% |
| RAM Channels | 6+200% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48+140% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Xeon Gold 5117 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5117) vs Yes (Core Ultra 5 135U). The Core Ultra 5 135U includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics), while the Xeon Gold 5117 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5117 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5117 | Core Ultra 5 135U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Intel Arc Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
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