Xeon E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6246R

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 E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6246R 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 E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6246R: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E7-4890 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 155W instead of 205W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6246R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,500 vs 16,000).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6246R

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 32) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌32.3% higher power demand at 205W vs 155W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6246R better than Xeon E7-4890 v2?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6246R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 146.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 6246R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.2% 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 6246R is the stronger fit. You are getting 146.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6246R still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Gold 6246R comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon Gold 6246R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014), more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 15/30, 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.

Xeon E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6246R Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E7-4890 v2

The Xeon E7-4890 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 15 cores and 30 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 30,946 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Gold 6246R

The Xeon Gold 6246R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 30,468 points. Launch price was $3,286.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E7-4890 v2 packs 15 cores / 30 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6246R offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6246R has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6246R — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6246R (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6246R is built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7-4890 v2 scores 30,946 against the Xeon Gold 6246R's 30,468 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon E7-4890 v2. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 6,500 vs 16,000 (84.4% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6246R). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 730 vs 1,293, a 55.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 6246R that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,500 vs 9,848 (56.7% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6246R). L3 cache: 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6246R.

Feature	Xeon E7-4890 v2	Xeon Gold 6246R
Cores / Threads	15 / 30	16 / 32+7%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.1 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.4 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	37.5 MB+5%	35.75 MB
L2 Cache	—	16 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	—	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	30,946+2%	30,468
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,500	16,000+146%
Geekbench 6 Single	730	1,293+77%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,500	9,848+79%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-4890 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6246R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6246R — the Xeon Gold 6246R supports 83.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E7-4890 v2 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6246R). PCIe lanes: 32 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6246R) — the Xeon Gold 6246R offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) and Lewisburg (Xeon Gold 6246R).

Feature	Xeon E7-4890 v2	Xeon Gold 6246R
Socket	LGA2011	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2933+83%
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB+50%	1024 GB
RAM Channels	4	6+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	32	48+50%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6246R supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon E7-4890 v2 targets Enterprise Server (Legacy), Xeon Gold 6246R targets High-frequency Server / Financial. Direct competitor: Xeon E7-4890 v2 rivals Xeon E5-2697 v2; Xeon Gold 6246R rivals EPYC 7302.

Feature	Xeon E7-4890 v2	Xeon Gold 6246R
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Enterprise Server (Legacy)	High-frequency Server / Financial