Xeon Gold 5420+ vs Xeon w7-3545

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 w7-3545 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 w7-3545: 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

✅Costs $191 less on MSRP ($1,848 MSRP vs $2,039 MSRP).
✅Delivers 9.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.5 vs 28.7 PassMark/$ ($1,848 MSRP vs $2,039 MSRP).
✅Draws 205W instead of 310W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w7-3545 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (58,209 vs 58,453).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (53 MB vs 68 MB).

Xeon w7-3545

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28.6% larger total L3 cache (68 MB vs 53 MB).
✅40% more PCIe lanes (112 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.7 vs 31.5 PassMark/$ ($2,039 MSRP vs $1,848 MSRP).
❌51.2% higher power demand at 310W vs 205W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w7-3545 better than Xeon Gold 5420+?

Yes. Xeon w7-3545 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon w7-3545 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.8% 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 w7-3545 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 28.6% larger total L3 cache (68 MB vs 53 MB).

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

Xeon w7-3545 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 5420+ is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon w7-3545 comes in 10.3% more expensive on MSRP at $2,039 MSRP versus $1,848 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 5420+ is also 9.9% better value on MSRP (31.5 vs 28.7 PassMark/$), 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 w7-3545 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon Gold 5420+ vs Xeon w7-3545 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 w7-3545

The Xeon w7-3545 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 August 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 67.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 310 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 58,453 points. Launch price was $2,039.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5420+ packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon w7-3545 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 5420+ has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5420+ versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon w7-3545 — a 15.7% clock advantage for the Xeon w7-3545 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture using a 10 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5420+ scores 58,209 against the Xeon w7-3545's 58,453 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon w7-3545. L3 cache: 52.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5420+ vs 67.5 MB on the Xeon w7-3545.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5420+	Xeon w7-3545
Cores / Threads	28 / 56+17%	24 / 48
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.8 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.7 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	52.5 MB	67.5 MB+29%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	58,209	58,453
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	16,200

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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 GB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 5420+) vs 112 (Xeon w7-3545) — the Xeon w7-3545 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 5420+) and Intel W790 (Xeon w7-3545).

Feature	Xeon Gold 5420+	Xeon w7-3545
Socket	LGA4677	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB	4096 GB
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80	112+40%

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon w7-3545 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5420+) vs true (Xeon w7-3545). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5420+ rivals EPYC 9354; Xeon w7-3545 rivals Threadripper PRO 7965WX.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5420+	Xeon w7-3545
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 5420+ was priced at $1848, while the Xeon w7-3545 came in at $2039. On launch pricing ($1848 vs $2039), Xeon Gold 5420+ was $191 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5420+ delivers 31.5 pts/$ vs 28.7 pts/$ for the Xeon w7-3545 — making the Xeon Gold 5420+ the 9.4% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5420+	Xeon w7-3545
MSRP	$1848-9%	$2039
Performance per Dollar	31.5+10%	28.7
Release Date	2023	2023

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