Ryzen 5 5600XT vs Xeon Gold 6246

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600XT

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2024
Ryzen family
·······
VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6246

12 Cores24 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen 5 5600XT vs Xeon Gold 6246 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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.

Ryzen 5 5600XT vs Xeon Gold 6246 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.

Ryzen 5 5600XT vs Xeon Gold 6246: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 5 5600XT

2024

Why buy it

  • +29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
  • Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6246 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (22,310 vs 22,571).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6246, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads.
  • Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6246 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6246

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
  • 153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6246 better than Ryzen 5 5600XT?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6246 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600XT is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6246 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.8% 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, Xeon Gold 6246 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6246 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600XT is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6246 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600XT is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (116.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 5600XT makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019) and 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 5600XT vs Xeon Gold 6246 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600XT

The Ryzen 5 5600XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,310 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6246

The Xeon Gold 6246 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 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: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,571 points. Launch price was $3,286.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600XT packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6246 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 6246 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600XT versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6246 — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600XT (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600XT uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6246 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600XT scores 22,310 against the Xeon Gold 6246's 22,571 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6246. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600XT vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6246.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XTXeon Gold 6246
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz+12%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+12%
3.3 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+29%
24.75 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
12 MB+2300%
Process
7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Vermeer (2020−2025)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
22,310
22,571+1%
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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600XT uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6246 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XTXeon Gold 6246
Socket
AM4
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0