Xeon Gold 6346 vs Xeon Gold 6426Y

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 6346 vs Xeon Gold 6426Y 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 6346 vs Xeon Gold 6426Y: 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 6346

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6426Y across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (37,739 vs 37,944).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.9 vs 17.7 PassMark/$ ($2,708 MSRP vs $2,145 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6426Y moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6426Y

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $563 less on MSRP ($2,145 MSRP vs $2,708 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.7 vs 13.9 PassMark/$ ($2,145 MSRP vs $2,708 MSRP).
✅Draws 185W instead of 205W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6426Y better than Xeon Gold 6346?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6426Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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 6426Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.9% 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 6426Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6426Y is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6426Y comes in $563 cheaper on MSRP at $2,145 MSRP versus $2,708 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 26.9% better value on MSRP (17.7 vs 13.9 PassMark/$), 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 6426Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA4189, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 16/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6346 vs Xeon Gold 6426Y Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Gold 6426Y

The Xeon Gold 6426Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 37,944 points. Launch price was $1,517.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon Gold 6346 and Xeon Gold 6426Y share an identical 16-core/32-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6346 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6426Y — a 13% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6426Y (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6346 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6426Y uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6346 scores 37,739 against the Xeon Gold 6426Y's 37,944 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon Gold 6426Y. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6346 vs 37.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6426Y.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6346	Xeon Gold 6426Y
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	16 / 32
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.1 GHz+14%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	37.5 MB+4%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Ice Lake-SP (2021)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	37,739	37,944

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6346 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6426Y uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6346 versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6426Y — the Xeon Gold 6426Y supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6346 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6346) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6426Y) — the Xeon Gold 6426Y offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6346) and LGA4677 (Xeon Gold 6426Y).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6346	Xeon Gold 6426Y
Socket	LGA4189	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	3200	4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	6144+50%	4096
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	80+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6346 rivals EPYC 73F3; Xeon Gold 6426Y rivals EPYC 8124P.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6346	Xeon Gold 6426Y
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6346 was priced at $2708, while the Xeon Gold 6426Y came in at $2145. On launch pricing ($2708 vs $2145), Xeon Gold 6426Y was $563 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6346 delivers 13.9 pts/$ vs 17.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6426Y — making the Xeon Gold 6426Y the 23.7% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6346	Xeon Gold 6426Y
MSRP	$2708	$2145-21%
Performance per Dollar	13.9	17.7+27%
Release Date	2021	2023

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