Xeon Gold 5117 vs Xeon Gold 5118

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 Gold 5117 vs Xeon Gold 5118 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 Gold 5117 vs Xeon Gold 5118: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon Gold 5117

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5118 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,286 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 5118 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 5118

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (16,744 vs 16,897).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5117 better than Xeon Gold 5118?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 5118 is ahead with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5117 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5117 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5117 is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5117 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,286 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 5118 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 5117 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 28 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 5117 vs Xeon Gold 5118 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Gold 5118

The Xeon Gold 5118 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 16,744 points. Launch price was $1,273.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5117 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5118 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 5117 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5117 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5118 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5118 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). Both are built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5117 scores 16,897 against the Xeon Gold 5118's 16,744 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon Gold 5117. L3 cache: 19.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 5117 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5118.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5117	Xeon Gold 5118
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+17%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.2 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.3 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	19.25 MB+17%	16.5 MB
L2 Cache	14 MB+17%	12 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	16,897	16,744

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to 2400 memory speed. Both support up to 768 of RAM. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 5117) and C621 (Xeon Gold 5118).

Feature	Xeon Gold 5117	Xeon Gold 5118
Socket	LGA3647	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2400	2400
Max RAM Capacity	768	768
RAM Channels	6	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	48

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5117 rivals Xeon Silver 4114; Xeon Gold 5118 rivals EPYC 7301.