Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-4640 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 E5-4640 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 E5-4640 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+21.2% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 105W instead of 165W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6146 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,559 vs 22,595).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,837 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6146 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6146

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌57.1% higher power demand at 165W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6146 better than Xeon E5-4640 v4?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6146 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6146 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.1% 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 6146 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6146 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-4640 v4 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6146 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,837 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-4640 v4 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6146 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-4640 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6146 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-4640 v4

The Xeon E5-4640 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,559 points. Launch price was $2,837.

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

Both the Xeon E5-4640 v4 and Xeon Gold 6146 share an identical 12-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 v4 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6146 — a 47.1% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6146 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-4640 v4 scores 22,559 against the Xeon Gold 6146's 22,595 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6146. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon E5-4640 v4 vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6146.

Feature	Xeon E5-4640 v4	Xeon Gold 6146
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	12 / 24
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+62%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+52%
L3 Cache	30 MB+21%	24.75 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB	12 MB+300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	22,559	22,595

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-4640 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6146 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-4640 v4	Xeon Gold 6146
Socket	LGA2011	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2133 MHz	—
Max RAM Capacity	1.5 TB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—