Xeon Gold 5218R vs Xeon W-1390P

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 W-1390P 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 W-1390P: 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

✅+71.9% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 16 MB).
✅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-1390P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,000 vs 25,016).

Xeon W-1390P

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 28 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $594 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 5218R mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1390P better than Xeon Gold 5218R?

Yes. Xeon W-1390P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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-1390P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% 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-1390P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon W-1390P is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1390P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $594 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 W-1390P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 20/40. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 5218R vs Xeon W-1390P 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 W-1390P

The Xeon W-1390P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 25,016 points. Launch price was $539.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5218R packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon W-1390P offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 5218R has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5218R versus 5.2 GHz on the Xeon W-1390P — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390P (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5218R uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1390P uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5218R scores 25,000 against the Xeon W-1390P's 25,016 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon W-1390P. L3 cache: 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5218R vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390P.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5218R	Xeon W-1390P
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+150%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4 GHz	5.2 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	27.5 MB+72%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	20 MB+3900%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark	25,000	25,016

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 5218R uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1390P uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.