Xeon Silver 4309Y vs Xeon w3-2425

Intel

Xeon Silver 4309Y

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2021
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon w3-2425

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2023
Similar parts
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Xeon Silver 4309Y vs Xeon w3-2425 Performance Spectrum

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.

Xeon Silver 4309Y vs Xeon w3-2425 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 4309Y vs Xeon w3-2425: 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 4309Y

2021

Why buy it

  • Draws 105W instead of 130W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (18,718 vs 18,776).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).
  • Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Xeon w3-2425 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w3-2425

2023

Why buy it

  • +25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $529 MSRP, while Xeon Silver 4309Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 23.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w3-2425 better than Xeon Silver 4309Y?
Yes. Xeon w3-2425 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 w3-2425 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% 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 w3-2425 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon w3-2425 is the better buy right now. Xeon w3-2425 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $529 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (35.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 w3-2425 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA4189, 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Silver 4309Y vs Xeon w3-2425 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon Silver 4309Y

The Xeon Silver 4309Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 18,718 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon w3-2425

The Xeon w3-2425 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 18,776 points. Launch price was $529.

Processing Power

The Xeon Silver 4309Y packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon w3-2425 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon Silver 4309Y has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4309Y versus 4.4 GHz on the Xeon w3-2425 — a 20% clock advantage for the Xeon w3-2425 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon Silver 4309Y uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon w3-2425 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Silver 4309Y scores 18,718 against the Xeon w3-2425's 18,776 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon w3-2425. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon Silver 4309Y vs 15 MB on the Xeon w3-2425.

FeatureXeon Silver 4309YXeon w3-2425
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz
4.4 GHz+22%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3 GHz+7%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
15 MB+25%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+100%
Process
10 nm
Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture
Ice Lake-SP (2021)
Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark
18,718
18,776
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Silver 4309Y uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w3-2425 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon Silver 4309YXeon w3-2425
Socket
LGA4189
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0