Xeon Gold 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6430

Intel

Xeon Gold 6348

28 Cores56 Thrd235 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021
VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6430

32 Cores64 Thrd270 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

Xeon Gold 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6430 Performance Spectrum

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.

Xeon Gold 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6430 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 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6430: 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 6348

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 235W instead of 270W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (51,843 vs 53,066).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (42 MB vs 60 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.5 vs 24.9 PassMark/$ ($3,583 MSRP vs $2,128 MSRP).
  • ❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6430 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6430

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…+2.4% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…+42.9% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 42 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $1,455 less on MSRP ($2,128 MSRP vs $3,583 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 72.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.9 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($2,128 MSRP vs $3,583 MSRP).
  • βœ…Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA4189 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6348 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6430 better than Xeon Gold 6348?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6348 is ahead with a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6430 pulls ahead with 2.4% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6430 also has the bigger cache pool with 42.9% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 42 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6430 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.4% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 42.9% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 42 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6430 is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6430 comes in $1,455 cheaper on MSRP at $2,128 MSRP versus $3,583 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6348 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 72.3% better value on MSRP (24.9 vs 14.5 PassMark/$), 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 6430 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, 42.9% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 42 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 28/56. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6348 vs Xeon Gold 6430 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon Gold 6348

The Xeon Gold 6348 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 42 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 235 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 51,843 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6430

The Xeon Gold 6430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023βˆ’2024) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 270 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 53,066 points. Launch price was $2,138.

⚑

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6348 packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6430 offers 32 cores / 64 threads β€” the Xeon Gold 6430 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6348 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6430 β€” a 2.9% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6348 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6348 uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6430 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023βˆ’2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6348 scores 51,843 against the Xeon Gold 6430's 53,066 β€” a 2.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6430. L3 cache: 42 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6348 vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6430.

FeatureXeon Gold 6348Xeon Gold 6430
Cores / Threads
28 / 56
32 / 64+14%
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz+3%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+24%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
42 MB (total)
60 MB+43%
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 (2023βˆ’2024)
PassMark
51,843
53,066+2%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6348 uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6430 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6348 versus 4400 on the Xeon Gold 6430 β€” the Xeon Gold 6430 supports 37.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 6348) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6430) β€” the Xeon Gold 6430 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 6348) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6430).

FeatureXeon Gold 6348Xeon Gold 6430
Socket
LGA4189
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
3200
4400+38%
Max RAM Capacity
4096
4096
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
64
80+25%
πŸ”§

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 6348 rivals EPYC 7543; Xeon Gold 6430 rivals EPYC 9334.

FeatureXeon Gold 6348Xeon Gold 6430
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6348 was priced at $3583, while the Xeon Gold 6430 came in at $2128. On launch pricing ($3583 vs $2128), Xeon Gold 6430 was $1455 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6348 delivers 14.5 pts/$ vs 24.9 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6430 β€” making the Xeon Gold 6430 the 53.1% better value option.

FeatureXeon Gold 6348Xeon Gold 6430
MSRP
$3583
$2128-41%
Performance per Dollar
14.5
24.9+72%
Release Date
2021
2023

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