Xeon Silver 4123 vs Xeon W-1290TE

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 Silver 4123 vs Xeon W-1290TE 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 Silver 4123 vs Xeon W-1290TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon Silver 4123

2018

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,405 vs 14,505).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (11 MB vs 20 MB).
❌200% higher power demand at 105W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon W-1290TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon W-1290TE

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 11 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 105W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics P630, while Xeon Silver 4123 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $552 MSRP, while Xeon Silver 4123 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290TE better than Xeon Silver 4123?

Yes. Xeon W-1290TE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-1290TE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.3% 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-1290TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 11 MB).

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

Xeon W-1290TE is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1290TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $552 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-1290TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 81.8% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 11 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Silver 4123 vs Xeon W-1290TE Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Silver 4123

The Xeon Silver 4123 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 14,405 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-1290TE

The Xeon W-1290TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,505 points. Launch price was $552.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Silver 4123 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-1290TE offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon W-1290TE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4123 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-1290TE — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290TE (base: 3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Xeon W-1290TE is built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Silver 4123 scores 14,405 against the Xeon W-1290TE's 14,505 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon W-1290TE. L3 cache: 11 MB on the Xeon Silver 4123 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290TE.

Feature	Xeon Silver 4123	Xeon W-1290TE
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.5 GHz+41%
Base Clock	3 GHz+67%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	11 MB	20 MB (total)+82%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	14,405	14,505
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,507
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,478

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Silver 4123 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1290TE uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon Silver 4123	Xeon W-1290TE
Socket	LGA3647	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon Silver 4123) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-1290TE). The Xeon W-1290TE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics P630), while the Xeon Silver 4123 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon W-1290TE targets Workstation.