Xeon Platinum 8260 vs Xeon W-2295

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 8260 vs Xeon W-2295 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 8260 vs Xeon W-2295: 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 8260

2019

Why buy it

✅+44.4% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $933 less on MSRP ($400 MSRP vs $1,333 MSRP).
✅Delivers 230.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.8 vs 23.2 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $1,333 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2295 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,946 vs 12,863).

Xeon W-2295

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.2 vs 76.8 PassMark/$ ($1,333 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2295 better than Xeon Platinum 8260?

Yes. Xeon W-2295 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 85.2% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.9% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-2295 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-2295 is the stronger fit. You are getting 85.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Xeon W-2295 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Platinum 8260 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon W-2295 comes in 233.3% more expensive on MSRP at $1,333 MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Platinum 8260 is also 230.4% better value on MSRP (76.8 vs 23.2 PassMark/$), 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 Platinum 8260 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 44.4% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Platinum 8260 vs Xeon W-2295 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Platinum 8260

The Xeon Platinum 8260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 30,720 points. Launch price was $4,702.

Xeon W-2295

The Xeon W-2295 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 30,986 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Platinum 8260 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon W-2295 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8260 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8260 versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon W-2295 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Xeon W-2295 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8260 is built on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Platinum 8260 scores 30,720 against the Xeon W-2295's 30,986 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon W-2295. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,190 vs 1,703, a 35.5% lead for the Xeon W-2295 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,946 vs 12,863 (59.7% advantage for the Xeon W-2295). L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8260 vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon W-2295.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8260	Xeon W-2295
Cores / Threads	24 / 48+33%	18 / 36
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.8 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	35.75 MB (total)+44%	24.75 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake-SP (2018)	—
PassMark	30,720	30,986
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,190	1,703+43%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,946	12,863+85%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Platinum 8260 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2295 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. Both support up to 1024 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Platinum 8260) vs 4 (Xeon W-2295). Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8260) and C422 (Xeon W-2295).

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8260	Xeon W-2295
Socket	LGA3647	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	1024 GB	1024 GB
RAM Channels	6+50%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	48

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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, EPT (Xeon Platinum 8260) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-2295). Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8260 targets Server / Workstation, Xeon W-2295 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon Platinum 8260 rivals Xeon Gold 6248R.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8260	Xeon W-2295
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Server / Workstation	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Platinum 8260 was priced at $400, while the Xeon W-2295 came in at $1333. On launch pricing ($400 vs $1333), Xeon Platinum 8260 was $933 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Platinum 8260 delivers 76.8 pts/$ vs 23.2 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2295 — making the Xeon Platinum 8260 the 107.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8260	Xeon W-2295
MSRP	$400-70%	$1333
Performance per Dollar	76.8+231%	23.2
Release Date	2019	2019

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