Xeon Gold 5117 vs Xeon W-3223

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 W-3223 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 W-3223: 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

✅Draws 105W instead of 160W, a 55W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3223 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,897 vs 16,956).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 57.7 PassMark/$ ($1,286 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Xeon W-3223

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $992 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $1,286 MSRP).
✅Delivers 338.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 57.7 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $1,286 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌52.4% higher power demand at 160W vs 105W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-3223 better than Xeon Gold 5117?

Yes. Xeon W-3223 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 W-3223 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 20.2% 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 W-3223 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon W-3223 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-3223 comes in $992 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $1,286 MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 338.9% better value on MSRP (57.7 vs 13.1 PassMark/$), 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 W-3223 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 14/28. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 5117 vs Xeon W-3223 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 W-3223

The Xeon W-3223 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,956 points. Launch price was $749.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5117 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon W-3223 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 5117 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5117 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon W-3223 — a 40% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3223 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5117 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-3223 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5117 scores 16,897 against the Xeon W-3223's 16,956 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon W-3223. L3 cache: 19.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 5117 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon W-3223.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5117	Xeon W-3223
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	4.2 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.5 GHz+75%
L3 Cache	19.25 MB+17%	16.5 MB
L2 Cache	14 MB+75%	8 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	16,897	16,956

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5117	Xeon W-3223
Socket	LGA3647	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	768	—
RAM Channels	6	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	48	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5117) / not specified (Xeon W-3223). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5117 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5117	Xeon W-3223
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 5117 was priced at $1286, while the Xeon W-3223 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($1286 vs $294), Xeon W-3223 was $992 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5117 delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 57.7 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3223 — making the Xeon W-3223 the 125.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5117	Xeon W-3223
MSRP	$1286	$294-77%
Performance per Dollar	13.1	57.7+340%
Release Date	2017	2019

Search Xeon Gold 5117 on Amazon

Search Xeon W-3223 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.