Xeon Platinum 8160 vs Xeon W-3245M

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 Platinum 8160 vs Xeon W-3245M 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 Platinum 8160 vs Xeon W-3245M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon Platinum 8160

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 22 MB).
✅Draws 150W instead of 205W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3245M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon W-3245M

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (28,494 vs 28,989).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (22 MB vs 33 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $5,002 MSRP, while Xeon Platinum 8160 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌36.7% higher power demand at 205W vs 150W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-3245M better than Xeon Platinum 8160?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-3245M is ahead with a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8160 pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark. Xeon Platinum 8160 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 22 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8160 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 22 MB).

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

Xeon W-3245M is the better buy right now. Xeon W-3245M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $5,002 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8160 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-3245M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Platinum 8160 vs Xeon W-3245M Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Platinum 8160

The Xeon Platinum 8160 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 28,989 points. Launch price was $4,702.

Xeon W-3245M

The Xeon W-3245M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 28,494 points. Launch price was $5,002.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Platinum 8160 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon W-3245M offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8160 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8160 versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon W-3245M — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3245M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8160 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-3245M uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Platinum 8160 scores 28,989 against the Xeon W-3245M's 28,494 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8160. L3 cache: 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8160 vs 22 MB on the Xeon W-3245M.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8160	Xeon W-3245M
Cores / Threads	24 / 48+50%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+52%
L3 Cache	33 MB+50%	22 MB
L2 Cache	24 MB+50%	16 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	28,989+2%	28,494
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	18,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,474
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,572

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8160 versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon W-3245M — the Xeon W-3245M supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon W-3245M supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 768 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Platinum 8160) vs 64 (Xeon W-3245M) — the Xeon W-3245M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Platinum 8160) and C621 (Xeon W-3245M).

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8160	Xeon W-3245M
Socket	LGA3647	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2666	DDR4-2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	2048 GB+167%
RAM Channels	6	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	64+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Platinum 8160) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon W-3245M). Primary use case: Xeon W-3245M targets Professional Workstation / Mac Pro. Direct competitor: Xeon Platinum 8160 rivals EPYC 7451; Xeon W-3245M rivals Xeon Gold 6242.