CPU
GPU
Xeon Gold 6346
Ryzen 9 3950X
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 6346
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 3950X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6346 | Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,195) | ✅ More affordable ($389) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6346 | Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+476%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,195) | ✅ More affordable ($389) |
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 6346 and Ryzen 9 3950X
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.
Ryzen 9 3950X
The Ryzen 9 3950X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 38,519 points. Launch price was $799.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon Gold 6346 and Ryzen 9 3950X share an identical 16-core/32-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6346 versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3950X — a 26.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 3950X (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6346 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3950X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6346 scores 37,739 against the Ryzen 9 3950X's 38,519 — a 2% lead for the Ryzen 9 3950X. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6346 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3950X.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6346 | Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32 | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.7 GHz+31% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.5 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB (total) | 64 MB+78% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+100% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-30% |
| Architecture | Ice Lake-SP (2021) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 37,739 | 38,519+2% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6346 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 3950X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6346 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3950X — the Xeon Gold 6346 supports 199.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6346 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6346) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 3950X). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6346) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3950X) — the Xeon Gold 6346 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6346) and X570,B550 (Ryzen 9 3950X).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6346 | Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4189 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 3200+79900% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6144 | 128 GB+2184433% |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 64+167% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 3950X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6346 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6346) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3950X). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6346 rivals EPYC 73F3.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6346 | Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6346 launched at $2708 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 3950X debuted at $749. At current prices ($2195 vs $389), the Ryzen 9 3950X is $1806 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6346 delivers 17.2 pts/$ vs 99.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 3950X — making the Ryzen 9 3950X the 140.8% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6346 | Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2708 | $749-72% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $2195 | $389-82% |
| Performance per Dollar | 17.2 | 99.0+476% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2019 |
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