i9-12900 vs Xeon Gold 6256

Aggregate performance score

Xeon Gold 6256
2020
12 cores / 24 threads, 205 Watt
30.00
+36.4%
Core i9-12900
2022
16 cores / 24 threads, 65 Watt
21.99

Xeon Gold 6256 outperforms Core i9-12900 by a substantial 36% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking146244
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data33.28
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
Power efficiency13.5931.42
Architecture codenameno dataAlder Lake-S (2022)
Release date1 January 2020 (4 years ago)4 January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$489

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900 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 cores12 (Dodeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads2424
Base clock speed3.6 GHz2.4 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz5.1 GHz
L1 cacheno data80K (per core)
L2 cacheno data1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache33 MB30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die sizeno data215 mm2
Maximum core temperature64 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support-+
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900 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 configurationno data1
SocketFCLGA3647FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)205 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX++
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0-+
Deep Learning Boost++

Security technologies

Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2933DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size1 TB128 GB
Max memory channels62
Maximum memory bandwidthno data76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support++

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.55 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
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 6256 30.00
+36.4%
i9-12900 21.99

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 6256 46767
+36.4%
i9-12900 34284

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 30.00 21.99
Recency 1 January 2020 4 January 2022
Physical cores 12 16
Power consumption (TDP) 205 Watt 65 Watt

Xeon Gold 6256 has a 36.4% higher aggregate performance score.

i9-12900, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 years, 33.3% more physical cores, and 215.4% lower power consumption.

The Xeon Gold 6256 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-12900 in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon Gold 6256 is a server/workstation processor while Core i9-12900 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon Gold 6256 and Core i9-12900, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Xeon Gold 6256
Xeon Gold 6256
Intel Core i9-12900
Core i9-12900

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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