Xeon Gold 6254 vs Xeon w5-2445

Intel

Xeon Gold 6254

18 Cores36 Thrd200 WWMax: 4 GHz2019
VS
Intel

Xeon w5-2445

10 Cores20 Thrd175 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

Xeon Gold 6254 vs Xeon w5-2445 Performance Spectrum

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.

Xeon Gold 6254 vs Xeon w5-2445 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 6254 vs Xeon w5-2445: 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 6254

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…+35.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w5-2445 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Xeon w5-2445 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w5-2445

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +18.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 175W instead of 200W, a 25W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
  • βœ…33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,500 vs 21,000).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w5-2445 better than Xeon Gold 6254?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon w5-2445 is ahead with a 18.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6254 pulls ahead with 35.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6254 is the stronger fit. You are getting 35.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon w5-2445 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon w5-2445 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon w5-2445 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6254 vs Xeon w5-2445 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon Gold 6254

The Xeon Gold 6254 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. L2 cache: 18 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 32,334 points. Launch price was $3,803.

Intel

Xeon w5-2445

The Xeon w5-2445 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023βˆ’2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 26.25 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 175 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 32,213 points. Launch price was $839.

⚑

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6254 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon w5-2445 offers 10 cores / 20 threads β€” the Xeon Gold 6254 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6254 versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w5-2445 β€” a 14% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-2445 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6254 uses the Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon w5-2445 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023βˆ’2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6254 scores 32,334 against the Xeon w5-2445's 32,213 β€” a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6254. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,000 vs 15,500 (30.1% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6254). Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 1,365 vs 1,822, a 28.7% lead for the Xeon w5-2445 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,950 vs 10,719 (2.1% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6254). L3 cache: 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6254 vs 26.25 MB on the Xeon w5-2445.

FeatureXeon Gold 6254Xeon w5-2445
Cores / Threads
18 / 36+80%
10 / 20
Boost Clock
4 GHz
4.6 GHz+15%
Base Clock
3.1 GHz
3.1 GHz
L3 Cache
24.75 MB
26.25 MB+6%
L2 Cache
18 MB+800%
2 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture
Cascade Lake (2019βˆ’2020)
Sapphire Rapids (2023βˆ’2024)
PassMark
32,334
32,213
Cinebench R23 Multi
21,000+35%
15,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,365
1,822+33%
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,950+2%
10,719
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6254 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon w5-2445 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6254 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon w5-2445 β€” the Xeon w5-2445 supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w5-2445 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB β€” 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6254) vs 4 (Xeon w5-2445). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6254) vs 64 (Xeon w5-2445) β€” the Xeon w5-2445 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C620 (Xeon Gold 6254) and W790 (Xeon w5-2445).

FeatureXeon Gold 6254Xeon w5-2445
Socket
LGA3647
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR5-4800+64%
Max RAM Capacity
1024 GB
2048 GB+100%
RAM Channels
6+50%
4
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48
64+33%
πŸ”§

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, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6254 targets Enterprise Server / Database, Xeon w5-2445 targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6254 rivals EPYC 7302; Xeon w5-2445 rivals Threadripper 7945WX.

FeatureXeon Gold 6254Xeon w5-2445
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Enterprise Server / Database
Professional Workstation