Ultra 9 285K vs Xeon Gold 6242

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Aggregate performance score

Xeon Gold 6242
2019
16 cores / 32 threads, 150 Watt
16.55
Core Ultra 9 285K
2024
24 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
43.10
+160%

Core Ultra 9 285K outperforms Xeon Gold 6242 by a whopping 160% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking39953
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation9.6974.35
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Xeon Goldno data
Power efficiency10.3932.46
Architecture codenameCascade Lake (2019−2020)Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
Release date2 April 2019 (5 years ago)24 October 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$2,529$589

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ultra 9 285K has 667% better value for money than Xeon Gold 6242.

Detailed specifications

Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)24 (Tetracosa-Core)
Threads3224
Base clock speed2.8 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.9 GHz5.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s250 MHz
Multiplier28no data
L1 cache1 MB112 KB (per core)
L2 cache16 MB3 MB (per core)
L3 cache22 MB36 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm3 nm
Die sizeno data243 mm2
Maximum core temperature85 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data17,800 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration4 (Multiprocessor)1
SocketFCLGA36471851
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512no data
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX++
Turbo Boost Max 3.0-no data
Deep Learning Boost+-

Security technologies

Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2933DDR5 Depends on motherboard
Maximum memory size1 TBno data
Max memory channels6no data
Maximum memory bandwidth140.8 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataArc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K.

PCIe version3.05.0
PCI Express lanes4820

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Xeon Gold 6242 16.55
Ultra 9 285K 43.10
+160%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Xeon Gold 6242 26288
Ultra 9 285K 68467
+160%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 16.55 43.10
Recency 2 April 2019 24 October 2024
Physical cores 16 24
Threads 32 24
Chip lithography 14 nm 3 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 125 Watt

Xeon Gold 6242 has 33.3% more threads.

Ultra 9 285K, on the other hand, has a 160.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, 50% more physical cores, a 366.7% more advanced lithography process, and 20% lower power consumption.

The Core Ultra 9 285K is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon Gold 6242 in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon Gold 6242 is a server/workstation processor while Core Ultra 9 285K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon Gold 6242 and Core Ultra 9 285K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Xeon Gold 6242
Xeon Gold 6242
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Core Ultra 9 285K

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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3.4 159 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Xeon Gold 6242 or Core Ultra 9 285K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.