Xeon Gold 6240R vs Xeon w3-2535

Intel

Xeon Gold 6240R

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon w3-2535

10 Cores20 Thrd185 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2024
Similar parts
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Xeon Gold 6240R vs Xeon w3-2535 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 w3-2535 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 w3-2535: 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

  • +28.6% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +36.2% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 26 MB).
  • Draws 165W instead of 185W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w3-2535 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 45.2 PassMark/$ ($2,444 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Xeon w3-2535 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w3-2535

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +19.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $1,705 less on MSRP ($739 MSRP vs $2,444 MSRP).
  • Delivers 230.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 45.2 vs 13.6 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $2,444 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,500 vs 22,500).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (26 MB vs 36 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w3-2535 better than Xeon Gold 6240R?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon w3-2535 is ahead with a 19.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6240R pulls ahead with 28.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Xeon Gold 6240R also has the bigger cache pool with 36.2% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 26 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6240R is the stronger fit. You are getting 28.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 36.2% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 26 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon w3-2535 is the better buy right now. Xeon w3-2535 comes in $1,705 cheaper on MSRP at $739 MSRP versus $2,444 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6240R is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 28.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 230.9% better value on MSRP (45.2 vs 13.6 PassMark/$), 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 w3-2535 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6240R vs Xeon w3-2535 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 w3-2535

The Xeon w3-2535 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 26.25 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 33,367 points. Launch price was $739.

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6240R packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon w3-2535 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon Gold 6240R has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6240R versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w3-2535 — a 14% clock advantage for the Xeon w3-2535 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6240R uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon w3-2535 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6240R scores 33,353 against the Xeon w3-2535's 33,367 — a 0% lead for the Xeon w3-2535. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 22,500 vs 17,500 (25% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6240R). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,212 vs 2,254, a 60.1% lead for the Xeon w3-2535 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 17,218 vs 12,400 (32.5% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6240R). L3 cache: 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6240R vs 26.25 MB on the Xeon w3-2535.

FeatureXeon Gold 6240RXeon w3-2535
Cores / Threads
24 / 48+140%
10 / 20
Boost Clock
4 GHz
4.6 GHz+15%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
3.5 GHz+46%
L3 Cache
35.75 MB+36%
26.25 MB
L2 Cache
24 MB+1100%
2 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark
33,353
33,367
Cinebench R23 Multi
22,500+29%
17,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,212
2,254+86%
Geekbench 6 Multi
17,218+39%
12,400
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6240R uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon w3-2535 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6240R versus DDR5-4400 on the Xeon w3-2535 — the Xeon w3-2535 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w3-2535 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6240R) vs 4 (Xeon w3-2535). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6240R) vs 64 (Xeon w3-2535) — the Xeon w3-2535 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Gold 6240R) and W790 (Xeon w3-2535).

FeatureXeon Gold 6240RXeon w3-2535
Socket
LGA3647
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR5-4400+50%
Max RAM Capacity
1024 GB
2048 GB+100%
RAM Channels
6+50%
4
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 w3-2535 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6240R rivals EPYC 7402; Xeon w3-2535 rivals EPYC 7313.

FeatureXeon Gold 6240RXeon w3-2535
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
Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6240R was priced at $2444, while the Xeon w3-2535 came in at $739. On launch pricing ($2444 vs $739), Xeon w3-2535 was $1705 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6240R delivers 13.6 pts/$ vs 45.2 pts/$ for the Xeon w3-2535 — making the Xeon w3-2535 the 107.2% better value option.

FeatureXeon Gold 6240RXeon w3-2535
MSRP
$2444
$739-70%
Performance per Dollar
13.6
45.2+232%
Release Date
2020
2024

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