Xeon Gold 6242R vs Xeon Platinum 8280
Xeon Gold 6242R
Xeon Platinum 8280
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 Xeon Platinum 8280
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6242R | Xeon Platinum 8280 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($779) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,940) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake-SP (2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6242R | Xeon Platinum 8280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+269%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($779) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,940) |
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 Xeon Platinum 8280
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 8280
The Xeon Platinum 8280 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 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 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: 36,830 points. Launch price was $10,009.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6242R packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8280 offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8280 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8280 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6242R uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8280 uses Cascade Lake-SP (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6242R scores 36,011 against the Xeon Platinum 8280's 36,830 — a 2.2% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8280. L3 cache: 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R vs 38.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8280.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | Xeon Platinum 8280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 20 / 40 | 28 / 56+40% |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+2% | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+15% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 35.75 MB | 38.5 MB (total)+8% |
| 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 | 36,830+2% |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to 2933 memory speed. The Xeon Platinum 8280 supports up to 1536 of RAM compared to 1024 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R) and LGA3647 (Xeon Platinum 8280).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | Xeon Platinum 8280 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 2933 | 2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1024 | 1536+50% |
| RAM Channels | 6 | 6 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48 | 48 |
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 Platinum 8280 rivals EPYC 7702.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | Xeon Platinum 8280 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6242R launched at $2977 MSRP, while the Xeon Platinum 8280 debuted at $10009. At current prices ($779 vs $2940), the Xeon Gold 6242R is $2161 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6242R delivers 46.2 pts/$ vs 12.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8280 — making the Xeon Gold 6242R the 114.7% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | Xeon Platinum 8280 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2977-70% | $10009 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $779-74% | $2940 |
| Performance per Dollar | 46.2+270% | 12.5 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2019 |
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