Xeon Gold 6146 vs Xeon W-1290P

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 Gold 6146 vs Xeon W-1290P 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 Gold 6146 vs Xeon W-1290P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon Gold 6146

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌32% higher power demand at 165W vs 125W.

Xeon W-1290P

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 125W instead of 165W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,373 vs 22,595).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290P better than Xeon Gold 6146?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-1290P is ahead with a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6146 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6146 also has the bigger cache pool with 23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

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 1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon W-1290P still makes the most sense overall. Xeon W-1290P comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon W-1290P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Gold 6146 vs Xeon W-1290P Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon W-1290P

The Xeon W-1290P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,373 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6146 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon W-1290P offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon Gold 6146 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6146 versus 5.2 GHz on the Xeon W-1290P — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290P (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6146 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1290P uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6146 scores 22,595 against the Xeon W-1290P's 22,373 — a 1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6146. L3 cache: 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6146 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290P.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6146	Xeon W-1290P
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	5.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB+24%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	12 MB	256K (per core)+2033%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	22,595	22,373

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6146 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1290P uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.