Xeon Gold 6242R vs Core i9-12900F
Xeon Gold 6242R
Core i9-12900F
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6242R
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6242R | Core i9-12900F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($779) | ✅ More affordable ($370) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6242R | Core i9-12900F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+110%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($779) | ✅ More affordable ($370) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6242R and Core i9-12900F
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.
Core i9-12900F
The Core i9-12900F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 35,873 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6242R packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Core i9-12900F offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 6242R has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900F — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900F (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6242R uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-12900F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6242R scores 36,011 against the Core i9-12900F's 35,873 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242R. L3 cache: 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900F.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | Core i9-12900F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 20 / 40+25% | 16 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz | 5.1 GHz+24% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+29% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 35.75 MB+19% | 30 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 20 MB+1500% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 36,011 | 35,873 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6242R uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-12900F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 4800 on the Core i9-12900F — the Core i9-12900F supports 48.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6242R supports up to 1024 of RAM compared to 128 — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs 2 (Core i9-12900F). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs 20 (Core i9-12900F) — the Xeon Gold 6242R offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R) and Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900F).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | Core i9-12900F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | 2933 | 4800+64% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1024+700% | 128 |
| RAM Channels | 6+200% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48+140% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6242R supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302; Core i9-12900F rivals Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | Core i9-12900F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6242R launched at $2977 MSRP, while the Core i9-12900F debuted at $494. At current prices ($779 vs $370), the Core i9-12900F is $409 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6242R delivers 46.2 pts/$ vs 97.0 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900F — making the Core i9-12900F the 70.9% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | Core i9-12900F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2977 | $494-83% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $779 | $370-53% |
| Performance per Dollar | 46.2 | 97.0+110% |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2022 |
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