Xeon Gold 5416S vs Xeon Platinum 8268

Intel

Xeon Gold 5416S

16 Cores32 Thrd150 WWMax: 4 GHz2023
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Platinum 8268

24 Cores48 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Xeon Gold 5416S vs Xeon Platinum 8268 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 Platinum 8268 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 Platinum 8268: 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 $4,857 less on MSRP ($1,445 MSRP vs $6,302 MSRP).
  • Delivers 341.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($1,445 MSRP vs $6,302 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

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

Xeon Platinum 8268

2019

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (35,081 vs 35,515).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($6,302 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 5416S better than Xeon Platinum 8268?
    Yes. Xeon Gold 5416S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% 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 5416S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% 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 5416S is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Xeon Gold 5416S is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5416S comes in $4,857 cheaper on MSRP at $1,445 MSRP versus $6,302 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 341.5% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), 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 5416S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 24/48. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Xeon Gold 5416S vs Xeon Platinum 8268 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    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.

    Intel

    Xeon Platinum 8268

    The Xeon Platinum 8268 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 35,081 points. Launch price was $6,302.

    Processing Power

    The Xeon Gold 5416S packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8268 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8268 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5416S versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8268 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5416S (base: 2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5416S uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8268 uses Cascade Lake-SP (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5416S scores 35,515 against the Xeon Platinum 8268's 35,081 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 5416S. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon Gold 5416S vs 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8268.

    FeatureXeon Gold 5416SXeon Platinum 8268
    Cores / Threads
    16 / 32
    24 / 48+50%
    Boost Clock
    4 GHz+3%
    3.9 GHz
    Base Clock
    2 GHz
    2.9 GHz+45%
    L3 Cache
    30 MB
    35.75 MB (total)+19%
    L2 Cache
    2 MB (per core)+100%
    1 MB (per core)
    Process
    Intel 7 nm-50%
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
    Cascade Lake-SP (2018)
    PassMark
    35,515+1%
    35,081
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    24,500
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,394
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    12,046
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Xeon Gold 5416S uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8268 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4400 on the Xeon Gold 5416S versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Platinum 8268 — 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 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 5416S) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8268). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 5416S) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8268) — the Xeon Gold 5416S offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA4677 (Xeon Gold 5416S) and C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8268).

    FeatureXeon Gold 5416SXeon Platinum 8268
    Socket
    LGA4677
    LGA3647
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    4400+50%
    DDR4-2933
    Max RAM Capacity
    4096 GB+300%
    1024 GB
    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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5416S) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Platinum 8268). Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8268 targets High-end Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5416S rivals EPYC 8124P; Xeon Platinum 8268 rivals EPYC 7452.

    FeatureXeon Gold 5416SXeon Platinum 8268
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    IGPU Model
    None
    Unlocked
    No
    No
    AVX-512
    Yes
    Yes
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    Target Use
    High-end Server
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Xeon Gold 5416S was priced at $1445, while the Xeon Platinum 8268 came in at $6302. On launch pricing ($1445 vs $6302), Xeon Gold 5416S was $4857 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5416S delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 5.6 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8268 — making the Xeon Gold 5416S the 126.1% better value option.

    FeatureXeon Gold 5416SXeon Platinum 8268
    MSRP
    $1445-77%
    $6302
    Performance per Dollar
    24.6+339%
    5.6
    Release Date
    2023
    2019

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