Xeon Gold 5218R vs Xeon Gold 6242

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 5218R vs Xeon Gold 6242 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 5218R vs Xeon Gold 6242: 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 5218R

2020

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 22 MB).
✅Draws 125W instead of 150W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon Gold 6242

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,994 vs 25,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (22 MB vs 28 MB).
❌20% higher power demand at 150W vs 125W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5218R better than Xeon Gold 6242?

Yes. Xeon Gold 5218R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% 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 5218R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% 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 5218R is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 22 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 5218R still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Gold 5218R comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon Gold 5218R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019), 25% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 22 MB), more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 40 threads instead of 16/32, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 5218R vs Xeon Gold 6242 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 5218R

The Xeon Gold 5218R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 25,000 points. Launch price was $1,273.

Xeon Gold 6242

The Xeon Gold 6242 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 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 24,994 points. Launch price was $2,529.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5218R packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 5218R has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5218R versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5218R (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5218R scores 25,000 against the Xeon Gold 6242's 24,994 — a 0% lead for the Xeon Gold 5218R. L3 cache: 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5218R vs 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5218R	Xeon Gold 6242
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+25%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	4 GHz+3%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.8 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	27.5 MB+25%	22 MB
L2 Cache	20 MB+25%	16 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	25,000	24,994