Xeon Gold 6240R vs Xeon Gold 6326

Intel

Xeon Gold 6240R

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6326

16 Cores32 Thrd185 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Xeon Gold 6240R vs Xeon Gold 6326 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 6240R vs Xeon Gold 6326 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 6240R vs Xeon Gold 6326: 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 6240R

2020

Why buy it

  • +49% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Draws 165W instead of 185W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,212 vs 1,631).
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,500 vs 24,500).
  • Launch MSRP is still $2,444 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6326 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6326

2021

Why buy it

  • +34.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6326 better than Xeon Gold 6240R?
Yes. Xeon Gold 6326 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 8.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 1.2% higher 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 6326 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% 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 6326 is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6326 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6240R is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6326 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,444 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6240R is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 6326 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 24/48. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6240R vs Xeon Gold 6326 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon Gold 6240R

The Xeon Gold 6240R 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 33,353 points. Launch price was $2,200.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6326

The Xeon Gold 6326 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 33,764 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6240R packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6326 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6240R has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6240R versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6326 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6240R (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6240R uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6326 uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6240R scores 33,353 against the Xeon Gold 6326's 33,764 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6326. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 22,500 vs 24,500 (8.5% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6326). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,212 vs 1,631, a 29.5% lead for the Xeon Gold 6326 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 17,218 vs 16,254 (5.8% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6240R). L3 cache: 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6240R vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6326.

FeatureXeon Gold 6240RXeon Gold 6326
Cores / Threads
24 / 48+50%
16 / 32
Boost Clock
4 GHz+14%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
2.9 GHz+21%
L3 Cache
35.75 MB+49%
24 MB (total)
L2 Cache
24 MB+2300%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
10 nm-29%
Architecture
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark
33,353
33,764+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi
22,500
24,500+9%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,212
1,631+35%
Geekbench 6 Multi
17,218+6%
16,254
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6240R uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6326 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6240R versus DDR4-3200 on the Xeon Gold 6326 — the Xeon Gold 6326 supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6326 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6240R) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6326). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6240R) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6326) — the Xeon Gold 6326 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Gold 6240R) and C621A,Ice Lake-SP (Xeon Gold 6326).

FeatureXeon Gold 6240RXeon Gold 6326
Socket
LGA3647
LGA4189
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity
1024 GB
4096 GB+300%
RAM Channels
6
8+33%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48
64+33%
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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, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6240R targets Server / High-load computing, Xeon Gold 6326 targets High-core Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6240R rivals EPYC 7402; Xeon Gold 6326 rivals EPYC 7313.

FeatureXeon Gold 6240RXeon Gold 6326
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Server / High-load computing
High-core Server