Xeon Gold 6426Y vs Xeon w5-2455X

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 6426Y vs Xeon w5-2455X 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 6426Y vs Xeon w5-2455X: 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 6426Y

2023

Why buy it

✅+2.3% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (38 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 185W instead of 200W, a 15W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 35.7 PassMark/$ ($2,145 MSRP vs $1,039 MSRP).

Xeon w5-2455X

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,106 less on MSRP ($1,039 MSRP vs $2,145 MSRP).
✅Delivers 101.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.7 vs 17.7 PassMark/$ ($1,039 MSRP vs $2,145 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (37,109 vs 37,944).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 38 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6426Y better than Xeon w5-2455X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon w5-2455X is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6426Y pulls ahead with 2.3% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6426Y also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (38 MB vs 30 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6426Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (38 MB vs 30 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6426Y is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon w5-2455X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6426Y comes in 106.4% more expensive on MSRP at $2,145 MSRP versus $1,039 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon w5-2455X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon w5-2455X is also 101.9% better value on MSRP (35.7 vs 17.7 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6426Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 25% larger total L3 cache (38 MB vs 30 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6426Y vs Xeon w5-2455X Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Gold 6426Y

The Xeon Gold 6426Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 37,944 points. Launch price was $1,517.

Xeon w5-2455X

The Xeon w5-2455X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 37,109 points. Launch price was $1,039.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6426Y packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon w5-2455X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 6426Y has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6426Y versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w5-2455X — a 11.5% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-2455X (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). Both are built on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6426Y scores 37,944 against the Xeon w5-2455X's 37,109 — a 2.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6426Y. L3 cache: 37.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6426Y vs 30 MB on the Xeon w5-2455X.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6426Y	Xeon w5-2455X
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	37.5 MB+25%	30 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	37,944+2%	37,109

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA4677 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6426Y supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 2048 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6426Y) vs 4 (Xeon w5-2455X). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 6426Y) vs 64 (Xeon w5-2455X) — the Xeon Gold 6426Y offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA4677 (Xeon Gold 6426Y) and W790 (Xeon w5-2455X).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6426Y	Xeon w5-2455X
Socket	LGA4677	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	4800
Max RAM Capacity	4096+100%	2048
RAM Channels	8+100%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80+25%	64

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon w5-2455X 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 6426Y rivals EPYC 8124P; Xeon w5-2455X rivals Threadripper 7960X.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6426Y	Xeon w5-2455X
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	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 6426Y was priced at $2145, while the Xeon w5-2455X came in at $1039. On launch pricing ($2145 vs $1039), Xeon w5-2455X was $1106 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6426Y delivers 17.7 pts/$ vs 35.7 pts/$ for the Xeon w5-2455X — making the Xeon w5-2455X the 67.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6426Y	Xeon w5-2455X
MSRP	$2145	$1039-52%
Performance per Dollar	17.7	35.7+102%
Release Date	2023	2023

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