Xeon Gold 5420+ vs Xeon Gold 6423N

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 5420+ vs Xeon Gold 6423N 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 5420+ vs Xeon Gold 6423N: 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 5420+

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $313 less on MSRP ($1,848 MSRP vs $2,161 MSRP).
✅Delivers 18.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.5 vs 26.6 PassMark/$ ($1,848 MSRP vs $2,161 MSRP).

Trade-offs

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

Xeon Gold 6423N

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 195W instead of 205W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5420+ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (57,434 vs 58,209).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.6 vs 31.5 PassMark/$ ($2,161 MSRP vs $1,848 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5420+ better than Xeon Gold 6423N?

Yes. Xeon Gold 5420+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% 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 Gold 5420+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.6% 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 5420+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5420+ is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5420+ comes in $313 cheaper on MSRP at $1,848 MSRP versus $2,161 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 18.5% better value on MSRP (31.5 vs 26.6 PassMark/$), 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 5420+ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 28 cores / 56 threads instead of 28/56. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 5420+ vs Xeon Gold 6423N Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 5420+

The Xeon Gold 5420+ 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 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,209 points. Launch price was $1,848.

Xeon Gold 6423N

The Xeon Gold 6423N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2023-07-01. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 195 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 57,434 points. Launch price was $2,161.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon Gold 5420+ and Xeon Gold 6423N share an identical 28-core/56-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5420+ versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6423N — a 13% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5420+ (base: 2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5420+ is built on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5420+ scores 58,209 against the Xeon Gold 6423N's 57,434 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 5420+. Both processors carry 52.5 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5420+	Xeon Gold 6423N
Cores / Threads	28 / 56	28 / 56
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+14%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2 GHz
L3 Cache	52.5 MB	52.5 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	—
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)	—
PassMark	58,209+1%	57,434

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA4677 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 80 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 5420+) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6423N).

Feature	Xeon Gold 5420+	Xeon Gold 6423N
Socket	LGA4677	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	4800	4800
Max RAM Capacity	4096	4096
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80	80

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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 5420+ rivals EPYC 9354; Xeon Gold 6423N rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5420+	Xeon Gold 6423N
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 5420+ was priced at $1848, while the Xeon Gold 6423N came in at $2161. On launch pricing ($1848 vs $2161), Xeon Gold 5420+ was $313 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5420+ delivers 31.5 pts/$ vs 26.6 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6423N — making the Xeon Gold 5420+ the 16.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5420+	Xeon Gold 6423N
MSRP	$1848-14%	$2161
Performance per Dollar	31.5+18%	26.6
Release Date	2023	2023

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