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 5416S vs Xeon Gold 6242R 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 5416S vs Xeon Gold 6242R: 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 5416S

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,532 less on MSRP ($1,445 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Delivers 103.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($1,445 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Draws 150W instead of 205W, a 55W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6242R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (35,515 vs 36,011).

Xeon Gold 6242R

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $1,445 MSRP).
❌36.7% higher power demand at 205W vs 150W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5416S moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6242R better than Xeon Gold 5416S?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6242R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6242R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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 6242R is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6242R is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 5416S is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6242R comes in 106.0% more expensive on MSRP at $2,977 MSRP versus $1,445 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 5416S is also 103.2% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 5416S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 5416S vs Xeon Gold 6242R Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 5416S

The Xeon Gold 5416S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 35,515 points. Launch price was $944.

Xeon Gold 6242R

The Xeon Gold 6242R 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 36,011 points. Launch price was $2,529.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5416S packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242R offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6242R has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5416S versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5416S uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5416S scores 35,515 against the Xeon Gold 6242R's 36,011 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242R. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon Gold 5416S vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5416S	Xeon Gold 6242R
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	20 / 40+25%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	30 MB	35.75 MB+19%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	20 MB+900%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	35,515	36,011+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 5416S uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4400 on the Xeon Gold 5416S versus 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R — the Xeon Gold 5416S supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5416S supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 1024 — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 5416S) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6242R). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 5416S) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6242R) — the Xeon Gold 5416S offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA4677 (Xeon Gold 5416S) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R).

Feature	Xeon Gold 5416S	Xeon Gold 6242R
Socket	LGA4677	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	4400+50%	2933
Max RAM Capacity	4096+300%	1024
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80+67%	48

🔧

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 5416S rivals EPYC 8124P; Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5416S	Xeon Gold 6242R
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 5416S was priced at $1445, while the Xeon Gold 6242R came in at $2977. On launch pricing ($1445 vs $2977), Xeon Gold 5416S was $1532 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5416S delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6242R — making the Xeon Gold 5416S the 68.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5416S	Xeon Gold 6242R
MSRP	$1445-51%	$2977
Performance per Dollar	24.6+103%	12.1
Release Date	2023	2020

Search Xeon Gold 5416S on Amazon

Search Xeon Gold 6242R 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.