Xeon Gold 6242R vs Xeon Platinum 8268

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 Platinum 8268 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 Platinum 8268: 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: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $3,325 less on MSRP ($2,977 MSRP vs $6,302 MSRP).
✅Delivers 117.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.1 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $6,302 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon Platinum 8268

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6242R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (35,081 vs 36,011).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($6,302 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6242R better than Xeon Platinum 8268?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6242R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.7% 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 6.5% 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 2.7% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6242R is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6242R comes in $3,325 cheaper on MSRP at $2,977 MSRP versus $6,302 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 117.3% better value on MSRP (12.1 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6242R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 40 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 6242R vs Xeon Platinum 8268 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 Platinum 8268

The Xeon Platinum 8268 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 35,081 points. Launch price was $6,302.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6242R packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8268 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8268 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8268 — a 5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6242R uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8268 uses Cascade Lake-SP (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6242R scores 36,011 against the Xeon Platinum 8268's 35,081 — a 2.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242R. L3 cache: 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R vs 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8268.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon Platinum 8268
Cores / Threads	20 / 40	24 / 48+20%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+5%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+7%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	35.75 MB	35.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache	20 MB+1900%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	Cascade Lake-SP (2018)
PassMark	36,011+3%	35,081
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	24,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,394
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	12,046

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to 2933 memory speed. Both support up to 1024 GB of RAM. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R) and C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8268).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon Platinum 8268
Socket	LGA3647	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2933	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	1024 GB	1024 GB
RAM Channels	6	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Platinum 8268). Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8268 targets High-end Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302; Xeon Platinum 8268 rivals EPYC 7452.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon Platinum 8268
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	High-end Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6242R was priced at $2977, while the Xeon Platinum 8268 came in at $6302. On launch pricing ($2977 vs $6302), Xeon Gold 6242R was $3325 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6242R delivers 12.1 pts/$ vs 5.6 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8268 — making the Xeon Gold 6242R the 73.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon Platinum 8268
MSRP	$2977-53%	$6302
Performance per Dollar	12.1+116%	5.6
Release Date	2020	2019

Search Xeon Gold 6242R on Amazon

Search Xeon Platinum 8268 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.