Xeon Gold 6122 vs Xeon W-1390

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 6122 vs Xeon W-1390 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 6122 vs Xeon W-1390: 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 6122

2018

Why buy it

✅+75% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1390 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (23,781 vs 23,902).
❌50% higher power demand at 120W vs 80W.

Xeon W-1390

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 80W instead of 120W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 28 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $494 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6122 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1390 better than Xeon Gold 6122?

Yes. Xeon W-1390 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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 W-1390 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.5% 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 W-1390 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon W-1390 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1390 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $494 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (48.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 W-1390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 20/40. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6122 vs Xeon W-1390 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6122

The Xeon Gold 6122 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 28 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 23,781 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-1390

The Xeon W-1390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,902 points. Launch price was $494.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6122 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon W-1390 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 6122 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6122 versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1390 — a 31.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon W-1390 is built on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6122 scores 23,781 against the Xeon W-1390's 23,902 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon W-1390. L3 cache: 28 MB on the Xeon Gold 6122 vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6122	Xeon W-1390
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+150%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	5.1 GHz+38%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.8 GHz+56%
L3 Cache	28 MB+75%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark	23,781	23,902

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6122 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1390 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.