Xeon W-1290P vs Xeon W-2255

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 W-1290P vs Xeon W-2255 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 W-1290P vs Xeon W-2255: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon W-1290P

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 125W instead of 165W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,373 vs 22,504).

Xeon W-2255

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $778 MSRP, while Xeon W-1290P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌32% higher power demand at 165W vs 125W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290P better than Xeon W-2255?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-1290P is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-2255 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-2255 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon W-1290P is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W-2255 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon W-1290P comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $778 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon W-2255 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. Xeon W-2255 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon W-1290P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon W-1290P vs Xeon W-2255 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon W-1290P

The Xeon W-1290P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,373 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-2255

The Xeon W-2255 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,504 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Xeon W-1290P and Xeon W-2255 share an identical 10-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Xeon W-1290P versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-2255 — a 10.1% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290P (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon W-1290P is built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon W-1290P scores 22,373 against the Xeon W-2255's 22,504 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon W-2255. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290P vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon W-2255.

Feature	Xeon W-1290P	Xeon W-2255
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	10 / 20
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+11%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+4%	19.25 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	—
PassMark	22,373	22,504

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon W-1290P uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2255 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.