Xeon Gold 6342 vs Xeon W-3345

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-3345 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-3345: 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

✅Draws 230W instead of 250W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3345 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (47,076 vs 48,140).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.8 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).

Xeon W-3345

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $478 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.3 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-3345 better than Xeon Gold 6342?

Yes. Xeon W-3345 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-3345 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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 W-3345 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Xeon W-3345 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-3345 comes in $478 cheaper on MSRP at $2,499 MSRP versus $2,977 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 21.8% better value on MSRP (19.3 vs 15.8 PassMark/$), 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 W-3345 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 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 6342 vs Xeon W-3345 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-3345

The Xeon W-3345 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-W (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 48,140 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon Gold 6342 and Xeon W-3345 share an identical 24-core/48-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6342 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon W-3345 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3345 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6342 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon W-3345 uses Ice Lake-W (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6342 scores 47,076 against the Xeon W-3345's 48,140 — a 2.2% lead for the Xeon W-3345. Both processors carry 36 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6342	Xeon W-3345
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	24 / 48
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	36 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-SP (2021)	Ice Lake-W (2021)
PassMark	47,076	48,140+2%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA4189 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to 3200 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6342 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6342) vs 128 (Xeon W-3345) — the Xeon W-3345 offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6342) and SP3,C621A (Xeon W-3345).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6342	Xeon W-3345
Socket	LGA4189	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	3200	3200
Max RAM Capacity	6144+50%	4096
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	128+100%

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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 6342 rivals EPYC 7443; Xeon W-3345 rivals Xeon Platinum 8362.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6342	Xeon W-3345
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 6342 was priced at $2977, while the Xeon W-3345 came in at $2499. On launch pricing ($2977 vs $2499), Xeon W-3345 was $478 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6342 delivers 15.8 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3345 — making the Xeon W-3345 the 19.7% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6342	Xeon W-3345
MSRP	$2977	$2499-16%
Performance per Dollar	15.8	19.3+22%
Release Date	2021	2021

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