CPU
GPU
Xeon Platinum 8268
Xeon Gold 6242R
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 Platinum 8268
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6242R
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Platinum 8268 | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,302) | ✅ More affordable ($779) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake-SP (2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Platinum 8268 | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+730%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,302) | ✅ More affordable ($779) |
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 Platinum 8268 and Xeon Gold 6242R
Xeon Platinum 8268
The Xeon Platinum 8268 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 2.9 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): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 35,081 points. Launch price was $6,302.
Xeon Gold 6242R
The Xeon Gold 6242R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 36,011 points. Launch price was $2,529.
Processing Power
The Xeon Platinum 8268 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242R offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8268 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8268 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R — a 5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8268 uses the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Platinum 8268 scores 35,081 against the Xeon Gold 6242R's 36,011 — a 2.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6242R. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8268 vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8268 | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48+20% | 20 / 40 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.1 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.1 GHz+7% |
| L3 Cache | 35.75 MB (total) | 35.75 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 20 MB+1900% |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Cascade Lake-SP (2018) | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 35,081 | 36,011+3% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 24,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,394 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 12,046 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Platinum 8268 versus 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R — the Xeon Gold 6242R supports 199.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 1024 GB of RAM. Both feature 6-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8268) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R).
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8268 | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2933 | 2933+73225% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1024 GB+104857500% | 1024 |
| RAM Channels | 6 | 6 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48 | 48 |
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 8268) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6242R). Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8268 targets High-end Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Platinum 8268 rivals EPYC 7452; Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8268 | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | High-end Server | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Platinum 8268 launched at $6302 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6242R debuted at $2977.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8268 | Xeon Gold 6242R |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $6302 | $2977-53% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $779 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2020 |
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