Xeon E5-2698 v4 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.

Xeon E5-2698 v4 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.

Xeon E5-2698 v4 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.

Xeon E5-2698 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+102% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 135W instead of 165W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6146 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon Gold 6146

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,595 vs 22,764).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 50 MB).
❌22.2% higher power demand at 165W vs 135W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2698 v4 better than Xeon Gold 6146?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6146 is ahead with a 9.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2698 v4 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2698 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 102% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 25 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2698 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 102% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2698 v4 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2698 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark.

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

Xeon Gold 6146 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2698 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6146 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2698 v4

The Xeon E5-2698 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 50 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 22,764 points. Launch price was $3,226.

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 Xeon E5-2698 v4 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6146 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2698 v4 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2698 v4 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6146 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6146 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2698 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6146 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2698 v4 scores 22,764 against the Xeon Gold 6146's 22,595 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2698 v4. L3 cache: 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2698 v4 vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6146.

Feature	Xeon E5-2698 v4	Xeon Gold 6146
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+67%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.2 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	50 MB+102%	24.75 MB
L2 Cache	5 MB	12 MB+140%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	22,764	22,595

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2698 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6146 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.