Xeon Gold 6542Y vs Core i9-13900KS
Xeon Gold 6542Y
Core i9-13900KS
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6542Y
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-13900KS
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,878) | ✅ More affordable ($580) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Emerald Rapids (2023) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+399%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,878) | ✅ More affordable ($580) |
Performance Check
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 6542Y and Core i9-13900KS
Xeon Gold 6542Y
The Xeon Gold 6542Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 60,144 points. Launch price was $2,878.
Core i9-13900KS
The Core i9-13900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.8 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 60,543 points. Launch price was $699.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6542Y packs 24 cores / 48 threads, matching the Core i9-13900KS's 24 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6542Y versus 5.8 GHz on the Core i9-13900KS — a 34.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900KS (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6542Y uses the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13900KS uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6542Y scores 60,144 against the Core i9-13900KS's 60,543 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-13900KS. L3 cache: 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6542Y vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900KS.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48 | 24 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz | 5.8 GHz+41% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.2 GHz+10% |
| L3 Cache | 60 MB (total)+67% | 36 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Emerald Rapids (2023) | Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 60,144 | 60,543 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 40,998 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 3,123 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 21,421 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6542Y uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-13900KS uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6542Y versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900KS — the Xeon Gold 6542Y supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6542Y supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 192 GB — 182.1% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6542Y) vs 2 (Core i9-13900KS). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 6542Y) vs 20 (Core i9-13900KS) — the Xeon Gold 6542Y offers 60 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 6542Y) and Z790,B760 (Core i9-13900KS).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800+95900% | DDR5-5600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 | 192 GB+4915100% |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 80+300% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-13900KS has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6542Y supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6542Y) vs true (Core i9-13900KS). The Core i9-13900KS includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon Gold 6542Y requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6542Y rivals EPYC 9354; Core i9-13900KS rivals Ryzen 9 7950X.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | true |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6542Y launched at $2878 MSRP, while the Core i9-13900KS debuted at $699.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2878 | $699-76% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $580 |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2023 |
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