CPU
GPU
Xeon Gold 6246
Xeon Gold 6146
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6246
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6146
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6246 | Xeon Gold 6146 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6246 | Xeon Gold 6146 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6246 and Xeon Gold 6146
Xeon Gold 6246
The Xeon Gold 6246 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 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: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,571 points. Launch price was $3,286.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon Gold 6246 and Xeon Gold 6146 share an identical 12-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6246 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6146 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6246 uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6146 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6246 scores 22,571 against the Xeon Gold 6146's 22,595 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6146. Both processors carry 24.75 MB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6246 | Xeon Gold 6146 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+3% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24.75 MB | 24.75 MB |
| L2 Cache | 12 MB | 12 MB |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 22,571 | 22,595 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA3647 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6246 | Xeon Gold 6146 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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