Xeon Gold 6346 vs Xeon Platinum 8180

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 Platinum 8180 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 Platinum 8180: 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

✅Costs $7,301 less on MSRP ($2,708 MSRP vs $10,009 MSRP).
✅Delivers 264.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.9 vs 3.8 PassMark/$ ($2,708 MSRP vs $10,009 MSRP).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (37,739 vs 38,259).

Xeon Platinum 8180

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.8 vs 13.9 PassMark/$ ($10,009 MSRP vs $2,708 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Platinum 8180 better than Xeon Gold 6346?

Yes. Xeon Platinum 8180 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Platinum 8180 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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 Platinum 8180 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

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

Xeon Platinum 8180 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6346 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Platinum 8180 comes in 269.6% more expensive on MSRP at $10,009 MSRP versus $2,708 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6346 is also 264.6% better value on MSRP (13.9 vs 3.8 PassMark/$), 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 6346 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Gold 6346 vs Xeon Platinum 8180 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 Platinum 8180

The Xeon Platinum 8180 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 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 38,259 points. Launch price was $10,009.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6346 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8180 offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8180 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6346 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8180 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8180 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6346 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8180 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6346 scores 37,739 against the Xeon Platinum 8180's 38,259 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8180. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6346 vs 38.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8180.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6346	Xeon Platinum 8180
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	28 / 56+75%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	38.5 MB (total)+7%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-SP (2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	37,739	38,259+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6346 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8180 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6346 versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8180 — the Xeon Gold 6346 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6346 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 768 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6346) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8180). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6346) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8180) — the Xeon Gold 6346 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6346) and Intel C621 (Xeon Platinum 8180).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6346	Xeon Platinum 8180
Socket	LGA4189	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	6144 GB+700%	768 GB
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64+33%	48

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6346) / not specified (Xeon Platinum 8180). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6346 rivals EPYC 73F3.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6346	Xeon Platinum 8180
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6346 was priced at $2708, while the Xeon Platinum 8180 came in at $10009. On launch pricing ($2708 vs $10009), Xeon Gold 6346 was $7301 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6346 delivers 13.9 pts/$ vs 3.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8180 — making the Xeon Gold 6346 the 113.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6346	Xeon Platinum 8180
MSRP	$2708-73%	$10009
Performance per Dollar	13.9+266%	3.8
Release Date	2021	2017

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