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-3245 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-3245: 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

✅+2.8% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+62.5% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 22 MB).
✅Costs $1,799 less on MSRP ($400 MSRP vs $2,199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 443.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.8 vs 14.1 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $2,199 MSRP).
✅Draws 165W instead of 205W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Xeon W-3245

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.3% 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 Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,000 vs 18,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (22 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.1 vs 76.8 PassMark/$ ($2,199 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
❌24.2% higher power demand at 205W vs 165W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Platinum 8260 better than Xeon W-3245?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-3245 is ahead with a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8260 pulls ahead with 2.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Xeon Platinum 8260 also has the bigger cache pool with 62.5% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 22 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8260 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 62.5% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 22 MB).

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

Xeon Platinum 8260 is the better buy right now. Xeon Platinum 8260 comes in $1,799 cheaper on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $2,199 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Xeon W-3245 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 443.2% better value on MSRP (76.8 vs 14.1 PassMark/$), 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 Platinum 8260 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 62.5% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 22 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 16/32. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Platinum 8260 vs Xeon W-3245 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-3245

The Xeon W-3245 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: 31,089 points. Launch price was $1,999.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Platinum 8260 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon W-3245 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8260 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8260 versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon W-3245 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3245 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8260 uses the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-3245 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Platinum 8260 scores 30,720 against the Xeon W-3245's 31,089 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon W-3245. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,500 vs 18,000 (2.7% advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8260). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,190 vs 1,353, a 12.8% lead for the Xeon W-3245 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,946 vs 11,698 (51% advantage for the Xeon W-3245). L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8260 vs 22 MB on the Xeon W-3245.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8260	Xeon W-3245
Cores / Threads	24 / 48+50%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.6 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	35.75 MB (total)+63%	22 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	16 MB+1500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake-SP (2018)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	30,720	31,089+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,500+3%	18,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,190	1,353+14%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,946	11,698+68%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. Both support up to 1024 GB of RAM. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Platinum 8260) vs 64 (Xeon W-3245) — the Xeon W-3245 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8260) and C621 (Xeon W-3245).

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8260	Xeon W-3245
Socket	LGA3647	LGA3647
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	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	64+33%

🔧

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, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8260 targets Server / Workstation, Xeon W-3245 targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon Platinum 8260 rivals Xeon Gold 6248R; Xeon W-3245 rivals Threadripper 2950X.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8260	Xeon W-3245
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Server / Workstation	Professional Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Platinum 8260 was priced at $400, while the Xeon W-3245 came in at $2199. On launch pricing ($400 vs $2199), Xeon Platinum 8260 was $1799 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Platinum 8260 delivers 76.8 pts/$ vs 14.1 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3245 — making the Xeon Platinum 8260 the 137.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8260	Xeon W-3245
MSRP	$400-82%	$2199
Performance per Dollar	76.8+445%	14.1
Release Date	2019	2019

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