Xeon Gold 6242R vs Xeon Gold 6330N

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 6242R vs Xeon Gold 6330N 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 6242R vs Xeon Gold 6330N: 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 6242R

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (36,011 vs 36,360).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 15.2 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $2,389 MSRP).
❌24.2% higher power demand at 205W vs 165W.

Xeon Gold 6330N

2021

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $588 less on MSRP ($2,389 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.2 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($2,389 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Draws 165W instead of 205W, a 40W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6242R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6330N better than Xeon Gold 6242R?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6242R is ahead with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6330N pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6330N is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6330N is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6330N comes in $588 cheaper on MSRP at $2,389 MSRP versus $2,977 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6242R is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 25.8% better value on MSRP (15.2 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6330N 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 28 cores / 56 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 6242R vs Xeon Gold 6330N Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Gold 6330N

The Xeon Gold 6330N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 42 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 36,360 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6242R packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6330N offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Gold 6330N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6330N — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6242R is built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6242R scores 36,011 against the Xeon Gold 6330N's 36,360 — a 1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6330N. L3 cache: 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R vs 42 MB on the Xeon Gold 6330N.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon Gold 6330N
Cores / Threads	20 / 40	28 / 56+40%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+21%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+41%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	35.75 MB	42 MB+17%
L2 Cache	20 MB	—
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	—
PassMark	36,011	36,360

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6242R uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6330N uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 2667 on the Xeon Gold 6330N — the Xeon Gold 6242R supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6330N supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 1024 — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6330N). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6330N) — the Xeon Gold 6330N offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6330N).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon Gold 6330N
Socket	LGA3647	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	2933+10%	2667
Max RAM Capacity	1024	6144+500%
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 virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302; Xeon Gold 6330N rivals EPYC 7413.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon Gold 6330N
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 6242R was priced at $2977, while the Xeon Gold 6330N came in at $2389. On launch pricing ($2977 vs $2389), Xeon Gold 6330N was $588 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6242R delivers 12.1 pts/$ vs 15.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6330N — making the Xeon Gold 6330N the 22.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon Gold 6330N
MSRP	$2977	$2389-20%
Performance per Dollar	12.1	15.2+26%
Release Date	2020	2021

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