Xeon Gold 6256 vs Xeon W-1390P

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 6256 vs Xeon W-1390P 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 6256 vs Xeon W-1390P: 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 6256

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+106.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌64% higher power demand at 205W vs 125W.

Xeon W-1390P

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 125W instead of 205W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6256 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,016 vs 25,334).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 33 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $594 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6256 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6256 better than Xeon W-1390P?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6256 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6256 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.3% 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 6256 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 106.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6256 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W-1390P is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6256 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $594 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W-1390P is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon W-1390P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Gold 6256 vs Xeon W-1390P Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6256

The Xeon Gold 6256 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 25,334 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-1390P

The Xeon W-1390P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 25,016 points. Launch price was $539.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6256 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon W-1390P offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 6256 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6256 versus 5.2 GHz on the Xeon W-1390P — a 14.4% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390P (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon W-1390P is built on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6256 scores 25,334 against the Xeon W-1390P's 25,016 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6256. L3 cache: 33 MB on the Xeon Gold 6256 vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390P.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6256	Xeon W-1390P
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5.2 GHz+16%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	33 MB+106%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark	25,334+1%	25,016

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6256 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1390P uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.