Xeon Gold 6354
VS
Core Ultra 5 235HX

Xeon Gold 6354 vs Core Ultra 5 235HX

Intel

Xeon Gold 6354

18 Cores36 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2021
VS
Intel

Core Ultra 5 235HX

14 Cores14 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2025

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6354

#420
EPYC 9655P
MSRP: $10811|Avg: $7958
108%
#421
EPYC 9554P
MSRP: $7104|Avg: $3052
108%
#423
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
MSRP: $6499|Avg: $3444
107%
#424
Xeon W-2155
MSRP: $1440|Avg: $150
106%
#425
Xeon 6740E
MSRP: $5265|Avg: $3949
106%
#425
Xeon Gold 6348
MSRP: $3583|Avg: $2097
106%
#427
EPYC 7702P
MSRP: $4425|Avg: N/A
105%
#428
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX
MSRP: $9999|Avg: $9879.97
104%
#429
EPYC 7552
MSRP: $4025|Avg: $1650
104%
#431
Xeon Platinum 8360Y
MSRP: $5383|Avg: N/A
104%
#432
Xeon W-3245
MSRP: $2199|Avg: $1200
103%
#433
Xeon Gold 6346
MSRP: $2708|Avg: $2195
102%
#434
Xeon W-3225
MSRP: $1319|Avg: $850
101%
#435
Xeon Gold 6354
MSRP: $2878|Avg: $2898
100%
#436
Xeon Gold 5218T
MSRP: $1572|Avg: $1349
100%
#437
Xeon 6960P
MSRP: $9625|Avg: $9625
99%
#438
EPYC 9555
MSRP: $9826|Avg: $7973
99%
#439
Xeon Gold 6338
MSRP: $2990|Avg: $1604
98%
#440
Xeon Gold 6538N
MSRP: $3351|Avg: $170
98%
#441
EPYC 7F52
MSRP: $3100|Avg: $1826
98%
#442
EPYC 7542
MSRP: $3400|Avg: $899
97%
#443
EPYC 9655
MSRP: $11852|Avg: $11852
96%
#444
Xeon 6781P
MSRP: $8960|Avg: $8960
96%
#445
Xeon Gold 6338N
MSRP: $3200|Avg: $3200
96%
#446
Xeon Gold 5117
MSRP: $1286|Avg: $300
96%
#447
EPYC 73F3
MSRP: $3521|Avg: $2100
96%
#448
EPYC 9384X
MSRP: $5529|Avg: $4157
95%
#449
EPYC 8534P
MSRP: $5529|Avg: $5529
95%
#450
EPYC 7663
MSRP: $6366|Avg: $6366
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 235HX

#8
Core Ultra 5 235HX
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#10
Ryzen 7 260
MSRP: $199|Avg: $70
95%
#13
Ryzen 3 210
MSRP: $99|Avg: $99
89%
#14
Ryzen 5 PRO 230
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
88%
#15
Ryzen 5 220
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
84%
#18
Ryzen 5 8500G
MSRP: $179|Avg: $150
80%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Use Case Distinction: This is a comparison between a Professional Workstation processor ($2,898) and a Consumer Desktop CPU. The Xeon Gold 6354 is engineered for massive parallel workloads (rendering, scientific simulations), offering significantly higher core counts.
InsightXeon Gold 6354Core Ultra 5 235HX
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($2,898)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm)
✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-HX (2025) / 3 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core Ultra 5 235HX ($0), however, is optimized for mixed workloads and gaming. For most users, it offers superior single-thread performance and responsiveness at a fraction of the cost ($2,898 less, 100% cheaper), making it the better choice for daily use and gaming.
InsightXeon Gold 6354Core Ultra 5 235HX
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($2,898)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6354 and Core Ultra 5 235HX

Intel

Xeon Gold 6354

The Xeon Gold 6354 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 39 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 39,400 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Core Ultra 5 235HX

The Core Ultra 5 235HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,122 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6354 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Xeon Gold 6354 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6354 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235HX — a 34.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235HX (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6354 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6354 scores 39,400 against the Core Ultra 5 235HX's 40,122 — a 1.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235HX. L3 cache: 39 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6354 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 235HX.

FeatureXeon Gold 6354Core Ultra 5 235HX
Cores / Threads
18 / 36+29%
14 / 14
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz
5.1 GHz+42%
Base Clock
3 GHz+3%
2.9 GHz
L3 Cache
39 MB (total)+63%
24 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
3 MB (per core)+200%
Process
10 nm
3 nm-70%
Architecture
Ice Lake-SP (2021)
Arrow Lake-HX (2025)
PassMark
39,400
40,122+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi
21,677
Geekbench 6 Single
2,600
Geekbench 6 Multi
14,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6354 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses FCBGA2114 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6354 versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 235HX — the Xeon Gold 6354 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6354 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 192 GB 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6354) vs 2 (Core Ultra 5 235HX). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6354) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 235HX) — the Xeon Gold 6354 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6354) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 5 235HX).

FeatureXeon Gold 6354Core Ultra 5 235HX
Socket
LGA4189
FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
3200+63900%
DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity
6144
192 GB+3276700%
RAM Channels
8+300%
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
64+167%
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 5 235HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6354 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core Ultra 5 235HX includes integrated graphics (Intel Graphics (48EU)), while the Xeon Gold 6354 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 235HX targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6354 rivals EPYC 7453.

FeatureXeon Gold 6354Core Ultra 5 235HX
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
Intel Graphics (48EU)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Laptop