Xeon Silver 4215R 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 4215R 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 4215R 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 4215R

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (11 MB vs 20 MB).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W 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

✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 11 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W 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 4215R needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,505 vs 14,683).
❌Launch MSRP is still $552 MSRP, while Xeon Silver 4215R mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290TE better than Xeon Silver 4215R?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-1290TE is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Silver 4215R pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Xeon W-1290TE also has the bigger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 11 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Silver 4215R is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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 $552 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Silver 4215R is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon Silver 4215R vs Xeon W-1290TE Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Silver 4215R

The Xeon Silver 4215R 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 14,683 points. Launch price was $794.

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 4215R 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 4 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4215R versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-1290TE — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290TE (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Xeon Silver 4215R uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1290TE uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Silver 4215R scores 14,683 against the Xeon W-1290TE's 14,505 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon Silver 4215R. L3 cache: 11 MB on the Xeon Silver 4215R vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290TE.

Feature	Xeon Silver 4215R	Xeon W-1290TE
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.5 GHz+13%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+78%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	11 MB	20 MB (total)+82%
L2 Cache	8 MB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	14,683+1%	14,505
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,507
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,478

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Silver 4215R 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 4215R	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 4215R) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-1290TE). The Xeon W-1290TE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics P630), while the Xeon Silver 4215R requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon W-1290TE targets Workstation.