Xeon Gold 6342 vs Xeon W-3175X

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 6342 vs Xeon W-3175X 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 6342 vs Xeon W-3175X: 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 6342

2021

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $22 less on MSRP ($2,977 MSRP vs $2,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 230W instead of 255W, a 25W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3175X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon W-3175X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (46,125 vs 47,076).
❌
0.7% HIGHER MSRP
$2,999 MSRPvs$2,977 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6342 better than Xeon W-3175X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-3175X is ahead with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6342 pulls ahead with 2.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6342 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6342 is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6342 comes in $22 cheaper on MSRP at $2,977 MSRP versus $2,999 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-3175X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 2.8% better value on MSRP (15.8 vs 15.4 PassMark/$), 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 6342 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 28/56. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6342 vs Xeon W-3175X Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6342

The Xeon Gold 6342 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 230 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 47,076 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-3175X

The Xeon W-3175X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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): 255 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 46,125 points. Launch price was $2,999.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6342 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon W-3175X offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon W-3175X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6342 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon W-3175X — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3175X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6342 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon W-3175X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6342 scores 47,076 against the Xeon W-3175X's 46,125 — a 2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6342. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6342 vs 38.5 MB (total) on the Xeon W-3175X.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6342	Xeon W-3175X
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	28 / 56+17%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.1 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	38.5 MB (total)+7%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-SP (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	47,076+2%	46,125
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	31,350
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,467
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	17,358

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6342 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-3175X uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6342 versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon W-3175X — the Xeon Gold 6342 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6342 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 512 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6342) vs 6 (Xeon W-3175X). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6342) vs 48 (Xeon W-3175X) — the Xeon Gold 6342 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6342) and Intel C621 (Xeon W-3175X).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6342	Xeon W-3175X
Socket	LGA4189	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	6144 GB+1100%	512 GB
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64+33%	48

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon W-3175X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6342 rivals EPYC 7443.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6342	Xeon W-3175X
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6342 was priced at $2977, while the Xeon W-3175X came in at $2999. On launch pricing ($2977 vs $2999), Xeon Gold 6342 was $22 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6342 delivers 15.8 pts/$ vs 15.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3175X — making the Xeon Gold 6342 the 2.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6342	Xeon W-3175X
MSRP	$2977	$2999
Performance per Dollar	15.8+3%	15.4
Release Date	2021	2018

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