Xeon E7-8867 v3 vs Xeon Gold 6346

Intel

Xeon E7-8867 v3

16 Cores32 Thrd165 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6346

16 Cores32 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2021

Xeon E7-8867 v3 vs Xeon Gold 6346 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.

Xeon E7-8867 v3 vs Xeon Gold 6346 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 E7-8867 v3 vs Xeon Gold 6346: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E7-8867 v3

2015

Why buy it

  • βœ…+25% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 36 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 165W instead of 205W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (36,908 vs 37,739).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.9 vs 13.9 PassMark/$ ($4,672 MSRP vs $2,708 MSRP).
  • ❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6346

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $1,964 less on MSRP ($2,708 MSRP vs $4,672 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 76.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.9 vs 7.9 PassMark/$ ($2,708 MSRP vs $4,672 MSRP).
  • βœ…100% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 32) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 45 MB).
  • ❌24.2% higher power demand at 205W vs 165W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6346 better than Xeon E7-8867 v3?
Yes. Xeon Gold 6346 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.3% 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 6346 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% 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 6346 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6346 is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6346 comes in $1,964 cheaper on MSRP at $2,708 MSRP versus $4,672 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 76.4% better value on MSRP (13.9 vs 7.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon Gold 6346 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2015), more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 16/32, 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 E7-8867 v3 vs Xeon Gold 6346 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E7-8867 v3

The Xeon E7-8867 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EX (2015) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333/1600/1866, DDR3-1066/1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 36,908 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6346

The Xeon Gold 6346 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 37,739 points. Launch price was $800.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E7-8867 v3 and Xeon Gold 6346 share an identical 16-core/32-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E7-8867 v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6346 β€” a 8.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6346 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon E7-8867 v3 uses the Haswell-EX (2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6346 uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E7-8867 v3 scores 36,908 against the Xeon Gold 6346's 37,739 β€” a 2.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6346. L3 cache: 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E7-8867 v3 vs 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6346.

FeatureXeon E7-8867 v3Xeon Gold 6346
Cores / Threads
16 / 32
16 / 32
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
3.6 GHz+9%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache
45 MB (total)+25%
36 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
22 nm
10 nm-55%
Architecture
Haswell-EX (2015)
Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark
36,908
37,739+2%
Geekbench 6 Single
850
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,000
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-8867 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6346 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the Xeon E7-8867 v3 versus 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6346 β€” the Xeon Gold 6346 supports 71.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6346 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 1536 GB β€” 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E7-8867 v3) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6346). PCIe lanes: 32 (Xeon E7-8867 v3) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6346) β€” the Xeon Gold 6346 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602J (Xeon E7-8867 v3) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6346).

FeatureXeon E7-8867 v3Xeon Gold 6346
Socket
LGA2011
LGA4189
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-1866
3200+71%
Max RAM Capacity
1536 GB
6144 GB+300%
RAM Channels
4
8+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
32
64+100%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6346 supports AVX-512 instructions β€” important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon E7-8867 v3 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6346 rivals EPYC 73F3.

FeatureXeon E7-8867 v3Xeon Gold 6346
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Server
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E7-8867 v3 was priced at $4672, while the Xeon Gold 6346 came in at $2708. On launch pricing ($4672 vs $2708), Xeon Gold 6346 was $1964 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E7-8867 v3 delivers 7.9 pts/$ vs 13.9 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6346 β€” making the Xeon Gold 6346 the 55.3% better value option.

FeatureXeon E7-8867 v3Xeon Gold 6346
MSRP
$4672
$2708-42%
Performance per Dollar
7.9
13.9+76%
Release Date
2015
2021

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