Xeon Gold 6130H vs Xeon Gold 6242R

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 6130H vs Xeon Gold 6242R 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 6130H vs Xeon Gold 6242R: 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 6130H

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,083 less on MSRP ($1,894 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Delivers 54.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.7 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($1,894 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 205W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6242R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (35,440 vs 36,011).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (22 MB vs 36 MB).

Xeon Gold 6242R

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+62.5% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 22 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 18.7 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $1,894 MSRP).
❌64% higher power demand at 205W vs 125W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6242R better than Xeon Gold 6130H?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6242R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 25.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% 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 6242R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 25.5% 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 Gold 6242R is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 62.5% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 22 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6242R is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6130H is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6242R comes in 57.2% more expensive on MSRP at $2,977 MSRP versus $1,894 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6130H is also 54.7% better value on MSRP (18.7 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), 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 6242R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 62.5% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 22 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 40 threads instead of 16/32. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6130H vs Xeon Gold 6242R Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6130H

The Xeon Gold 6130H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 35,440 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Gold 6242R

The Xeon Gold 6242R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 36,011 points. Launch price was $2,529.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6130H packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242R offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6242R has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6130H versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6242R is built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6130H scores 35,440 against the Xeon Gold 6242R's 36,011 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242R. L3 cache: 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 6130H vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6130H	Xeon Gold 6242R
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	20 / 40+25%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.1 GHz+48%
L3 Cache	22 MB	35.75 MB+63%
L2 Cache	—	20 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	35,440	36,011+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6130H uses the FCLGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the Xeon Gold 6130H versus 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R — the Xeon Gold 6242R supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6242R supports up to 1024 of RAM compared to 768 — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6130H) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6130H	Xeon Gold 6242R
Socket	FCLGA3647	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2666	2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity	768	1024+33%
RAM Channels	6	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	48

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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 6130H rivals EPYC 7401; Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6130H	Xeon Gold 6242R
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 6130H was priced at $1894, while the Xeon Gold 6242R came in at $2977. On launch pricing ($1894 vs $2977), Xeon Gold 6130H was $1083 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6130H delivers 18.7 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6242R — making the Xeon Gold 6130H the 42.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6130H	Xeon Gold 6242R
MSRP	$1894-36%	$2977
Performance per Dollar	18.7+55%	12.1
Release Date	2018	2020

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