Xeon Gold 6242R vs Xeon W-3265M

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 W-3265M 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 W-3265M: 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

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $3,323 less on MSRP ($2,977 MSRP vs $6,300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.1 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $6,300 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3265M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon W-3265M

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (35,506 vs 36,011).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($6,300 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6242R better than Xeon W-3265M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-3265M is ahead with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6242R pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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 1.4% 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 $3,323 cheaper on MSRP at $2,977 MSRP versus $6,300 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-3265M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 114.6% better value on MSRP (12.1 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), 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 W-3265M 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 W-3265M

The Xeon W-3265M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 35,506 points. Launch price was $6,353.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6242R packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon W-3265M offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon W-3265M has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon W-3265M — a 11.5% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3265M (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6242R scores 36,011 against the Xeon W-3265M's 35,506 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242R. L3 cache: 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R vs 33 MB on the Xeon W-3265M.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon W-3265M
Cores / Threads	20 / 40	24 / 48+20%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+15%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	35.75 MB+8%	33 MB
L2 Cache	20 MB	24 MB+20%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	36,011+1%	35,506

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to 2933 memory speed. Both support up to 1024 of RAM. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs 64 (Xeon W-3265M) — the Xeon W-3265M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R) and C620 (Xeon W-3265M).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon W-3265M
Socket	LGA3647	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	2933	2933
Max RAM Capacity	1024	1024
RAM Channels	6	6
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 W-3265M rivals EPYC 7402.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon W-3265M
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 W-3265M came in at $6300. On launch pricing ($2977 vs $6300), Xeon Gold 6242R was $3323 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6242R delivers 12.1 pts/$ vs 5.6 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3265M — making the Xeon Gold 6242R the 72.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6242R	Xeon W-3265M
MSRP	$2977-53%	$6300
Performance per Dollar	12.1+116%	5.6
Release Date	2020	2019

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