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 5520+ vs Xeon Platinum 8380 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 5520+ vs Xeon Platinum 8380: 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 5520+

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $927 less on MSRP ($1,083 MSRP vs $2,010 MSRP).
✅Delivers 82.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 56.5 vs 31.0 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $2,010 MSRP).
✅Draws 205W instead of 270W, a 65W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Platinum 8380 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (25,000 vs 40,000).

Xeon Platinum 8380

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.0 vs 56.5 PassMark/$ ($2,010 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
❌31.7% higher power demand at 270W vs 205W.
❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5520+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Platinum 8380 better than Xeon Gold 5520+?

Yes. Xeon Platinum 8380 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 60% better Geekbench multi-core, and 1.8% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Platinum 8380 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.6% 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 Platinum 8380 is the stronger fit. You are getting 60% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 40 cores and 80 threads.

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

Xeon Platinum 8380 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 5520+ is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Platinum 8380 comes in 85.6% more expensive on MSRP at $2,010 MSRP versus $1,083 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 5520+ is also 82.3% better value on MSRP (56.5 vs 31.0 PassMark/$), 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 5520+ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA4189. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 5520+ vs Xeon Platinum 8380 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 5520+

The Xeon Gold 5520+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 61,227 points. Launch price was $1,640.

Xeon Platinum 8380

The Xeon Platinum 8380 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2021-04-06. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 40 cores and 80 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 270 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 62,318 points. Launch price was $5,846.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 5520+ packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8380 offers 40 cores / 80 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8380 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5520+ versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8380 — a 16.2% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5520+ (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5520+ uses the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8380 uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5520+ scores 61,227 against the Xeon Platinum 8380's 62,318 — a 1.8% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8380. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,600 vs 1,300, a 20.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 5520+ that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 25,000 vs 40,000 (46.2% advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8380). L3 cache: 52.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5520+ vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8380.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5520+	Xeon Platinum 8380
Cores / Threads	28 / 56	40 / 80+43%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+18%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.3 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	52.5 MB (total)	60 MB (total)+14%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Emerald Rapids (2023)	Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark	61,227	62,318+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,600+23%	1,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	25,000	40,000+60%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 5520+ uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8380 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 5520+ versus DDR4-3200 on the Xeon Platinum 8380 — the Xeon Gold 5520+ supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Platinum 8380 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 4096 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 5520+) vs 64 (Xeon Platinum 8380) — the Xeon Gold 5520+ offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 5520+) and C621A (Xeon Platinum 8380).

Feature	Xeon Gold 5520+	Xeon Platinum 8380
Socket	LGA4677	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB	6144 GB+50%
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80+25%	64

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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. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5520+ targets Enterprise Server, Xeon Platinum 8380 targets Datacenter. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5520+ rivals EPYC 9354; Xeon Platinum 8380 rivals EPYC 7543.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5520+	Xeon Platinum 8380
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Enterprise Server	Datacenter

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 5520+ was priced at $1083, while the Xeon Platinum 8380 came in at $2010. On launch pricing ($1083 vs $2010), Xeon Gold 5520+ was $927 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5520+ delivers 56.5 pts/$ vs 31.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8380 — making the Xeon Gold 5520+ the 58.3% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 5520+	Xeon Platinum 8380
MSRP	$1083-46%	$2010
Performance per Dollar	56.5+82%	31.0
Release Date	2023	2021

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