Xeon Gold 6246 vs Xeon W-2255

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 6246 vs Xeon W-2255 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 6246 vs Xeon W-2255: 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 6246

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+28.6% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 19 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2255 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon W-2255

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,504 vs 22,571).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $778 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6246 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6246 better than Xeon W-2255?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-2255 is ahead with a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6246 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6246 also has the bigger cache pool with 28.6% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 19 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6246 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 28.6% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 19 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6246 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W-2255 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6246 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $778 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-2255 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W-2255 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 6246 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 28.6% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 19 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Gold 6246 vs Xeon W-2255 Technical Specifications

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

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 W-2255

The Xeon W-2255 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,504 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6246 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon W-2255 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon Gold 6246 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6246 versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-2255 — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Xeon W-2255 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6246 is built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6246 scores 22,571 against the Xeon W-2255's 22,504 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6246. L3 cache: 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6246 vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon W-2255.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6246	Xeon W-2255
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.7 GHz+12%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB+29%	19.25 MB
L2 Cache	12 MB	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	—
PassMark	22,571	22,504

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6246 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2255 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.