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 8280 vs Xeon w5-3425 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 8280 vs Xeon w5-3425: 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 8280

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.8% higher PassMark.
✅+28.3% larger total L3 cache (39 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 205W instead of 270W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w5-3425 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.7 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($10,009 MSRP vs $1,189 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Xeon w5-3425 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w5-3425

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $8,820 less on MSRP ($1,189 MSRP vs $10,009 MSRP).
✅Delivers 726.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.4 vs 3.7 PassMark/$ ($1,189 MSRP vs $10,009 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
✅133.3% more PCIe lanes (112 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (36,178 vs 36,830).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 39 MB).
❌31.7% higher power demand at 270W vs 205W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w5-3425 better than Xeon Platinum 8280?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon w5-3425 is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8280 pulls ahead with 1.8% better PassMark. Xeon Platinum 8280 also has the bigger cache pool with 28.3% larger total L3 cache (39 MB vs 30 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8280 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 28.3% larger total L3 cache (39 MB vs 30 MB).

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

Xeon w5-3425 is the better buy right now. Xeon w5-3425 comes in $8,820 cheaper on MSRP at $1,189 MSRP versus $10,009 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8280 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.8% better PassMark. It is also 726.9% better value on MSRP (30.4 vs 3.7 PassMark/$), 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 w5-3425 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Platinum 8280 vs Xeon w5-3425 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Platinum 8280

The Xeon Platinum 8280 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 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 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: 36,830 points. Launch price was $10,009.

Xeon w5-3425

The Xeon w5-3425 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 270 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 36,178 points. Launch price was $1,189.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Platinum 8280 packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon w5-3425 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8280 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8280 versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w5-3425 — a 14% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-3425 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8280 uses the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon w5-3425 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Platinum 8280 scores 36,830 against the Xeon w5-3425's 36,178 — a 1.8% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8280. L3 cache: 38.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8280 vs 30 MB on the Xeon w5-3425.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8280	Xeon w5-3425
Cores / Threads	28 / 56+133%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.6 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.2 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	38.5 MB (total)+28%	30 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Cascade Lake-SP (2018)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	36,830+2%	36,178

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Platinum 8280 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon w5-3425 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2933 on the Xeon Platinum 8280 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon w5-3425 — the Xeon w5-3425 supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w5-3425 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1536 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Platinum 8280) vs 8 (Xeon w5-3425). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Platinum 8280) vs 112 (Xeon w5-3425) — the Xeon w5-3425 offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA3647 (Xeon Platinum 8280) and W790 (Xeon w5-3425).

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8280	Xeon w5-3425
Socket	LGA3647	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	2933	DDR5-4800+64%
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB	4096 GB+167%
RAM Channels	6	8+33%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48	112+133%

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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 Platinum 8280 rivals EPYC 7702.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8280	Xeon w5-3425
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Platinum 8280 was priced at $10009, while the Xeon w5-3425 came in at $1189. On launch pricing ($10009 vs $1189), Xeon w5-3425 was $8820 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Platinum 8280 delivers 3.7 pts/$ vs 30.4 pts/$ for the Xeon w5-3425 — making the Xeon w5-3425 the 156.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Platinum 8280	Xeon w5-3425
MSRP	$10009	$1189-88%
Performance per Dollar	3.7	30.4+722%
Release Date	2019	2023

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