Xeon W-1290T vs Xeon W-3225

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-1290T vs Xeon W-3225 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-1290T vs Xeon W-3225: 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-1290T

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB).
✅Costs $773 less on MSRP ($546 MSRP vs $1,319 MSRP).
✅Delivers 143.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 33.7 vs 13.8 PassMark/$ ($546 MSRP vs $1,319 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 160W, a 125W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3225 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon W-3225

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (18,251 vs 18,409).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.8 vs 33.7 PassMark/$ ($1,319 MSRP vs $546 MSRP).
❌357.1% higher power demand at 160W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290T better than Xeon W-3225?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-3225 is ahead with a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-1290T pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon W-1290T also has the bigger cache pool with 21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-1290T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB).

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

Xeon W-1290T is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1290T comes in $773 cheaper on MSRP at $546 MSRP versus $1,319 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-3225 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 143.7% better value on MSRP (33.7 vs 13.8 PassMark/$), 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-1290T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019), 21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 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 W-1290T vs Xeon W-3225 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon W-1290T

The Xeon W-1290T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 18,409 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-3225

The Xeon W-3225 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 18,251 points. Launch price was $1,199.

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Processing Power

The Xeon W-1290T packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon W-3225 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon W-1290T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-1290T versus 4.4 GHz on the Xeon W-3225 — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290T (base: 1.9 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon W-3225 is built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon W-1290T scores 18,409 against the Xeon W-3225's 18,251 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon W-1290T. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon W-1290T vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon W-3225.

Feature	Xeon W-1290T	Xeon W-3225
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+7%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	3.7 GHz+95%
L3 Cache	20 MB Intel® Smart Cache+21%	16.5 MB
L2 Cache	—	8 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	18,409	18,251
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,150
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,100

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon W-1290T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-3225 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon W-1290T	Xeon W-3225
Socket	LGA1200	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	1024 GB
RAM Channels	—	6
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	64

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon W-1290T) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon W-3225). Primary use case: Xeon W-3225 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon W-3225 rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2920X.

Feature	Xeon W-1290T	Xeon W-3225
Integrated GPU	—	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon W-1290T was priced at $546, while the Xeon W-3225 came in at $1319. On launch pricing ($546 vs $1319), Xeon W-1290T was $773 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon W-1290T delivers 33.7 pts/$ vs 13.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3225 — making the Xeon W-1290T the 83.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon W-1290T	Xeon W-3225
MSRP	$546-59%	$1319
Performance per Dollar	33.7+144%	13.8
Release Date	2020	2019

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