Core i9-11900KB vs Xeon Gold 6146

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.

Core i9-11900KB vs Xeon Gold 6146 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.

Core i9-11900KB vs Xeon Gold 6146: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Xeon Gold 6146 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6146, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $539 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6146 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6146

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,595 vs 22,693).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900KB better than Xeon Gold 6146?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6146 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-11900KB is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-11900KB is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% 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, Core i9-11900KB is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-11900KB is the better buy right now. Core i9-11900KB comes in at an unclear MSRP at $539 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i9-11900KB makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 12/24, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-11900KB vs Xeon Gold 6146 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11900KB

The Core i9-11900KB is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Maio 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,693 points. Launch price was $539.

Xeon Gold 6146

The Xeon Gold 6146 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 22,595 points. Launch price was $3,286.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-11900KB packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6146 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 6146 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6146 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KB (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i9-11900KB uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon Gold 6146 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900KB scores 22,693 against the Xeon Gold 6146's 22,595 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i9-11900KB. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6146.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Xeon Gold 6146
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+17%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24.75 MB+3%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	12 MB+860%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	22,693	22,595
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,264	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,645	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900KB uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6146 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Xeon Gold 6146
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB) / not specified (Xeon Gold 6146). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Xeon Gold 6146 requires a dedicated GPU.