Xeon Gold 6542Y vs Xeon Gold 6421N
Xeon Gold 6542Y
Xeon Gold 6421N
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 Xeon Gold 6421N
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Xeon Gold 6421N |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,878) | ✅ More affordable ($2,427) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Emerald Rapids (2023) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Xeon Gold 6421N |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+16%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,878) | ✅ More affordable ($2,427) |
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 Xeon Gold 6421N
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.
Xeon Gold 6421N
The Xeon Gold 6421N 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,797 points. Launch price was $2,368.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6542Y packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6421N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6421N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6542Y versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6421N — a 13% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6542Y (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6542Y uses the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6421N uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6542Y scores 60,144 against the Xeon Gold 6421N's 58,797 — a 2.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6542Y. L3 cache: 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6542Y vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6421N.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Xeon Gold 6421N |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48 | 32 / 64+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+14% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz+61% | 1.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 60 MB (total) | 60 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Emerald Rapids (2023) | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 60,144+2% | 58,797 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA4677 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 80 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 6542Y) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6421N).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Xeon Gold 6421N |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | LGA4677 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800 | 4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 | 4096 |
| RAM Channels | 8 | 8 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 80 | 80 |
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 6542Y rivals EPYC 9354; Xeon Gold 6421N rivals EPYC 9354.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Xeon Gold 6421N |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6542Y launched at $2878 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6421N debuted at $2368.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6542Y | Xeon Gold 6421N |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2878 | $2368-18% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $2427 |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2023 |
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