Intel Xeon Gold 6336Y

Intel Xeon Gold 6336Y is a 24-core, 48-thread Ice Lake-SP server processor that lands in the 71st percentile of all CPUs tested, with an average benchmark score of 11,191. The data shows a chip engineered for sustained multi-threaded throughput, but its single-core results reveal a more modest capability that shapes its workload profile. Its nearest rivals in the database — a mix of AMD EPYC parts and a low-power Intel Core mobile chip — bracket its average score within a narrow ±0.8% window, indicating that the 6336Y sits in a highly competitive performance tier where architectural differences matter more than raw score gaps.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The 6336Y's benchmark split is stark. In Cinebench R23, it scores 5,462 in single-core and 38,689 in multi-core — a ratio of roughly 7.1:1, which is exactly what one would expect from a 24-core design with a 3.60 GHz boost clock. The single-core score places it in a modest range for a 2021 server chip; the 2.40 GHz base clock clearly limits lightly-threaded responsiveness, while the 3.60 GHz boost provides only a moderate ceiling. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score of 2,294 against a multi-core score of 16,249 shows the same pattern: roughly 7.1x scaling, confirming that the chip scales almost linearly with core count in heavily parallel workloads.

This behavior means real-world applications that rely on a few fast cores — such as interactive database queries, single-threaded scripting, or lightly-parallel compilation stages — will not see the same benefits as fully parallel workloads. The multi-threaded results, however, are where the 6336Y makes its case. The R15 multi-core score of 3,899 and R20 multi-core score of 16,249 both indicate that the chip sustains high throughput across all 24 cores, likely due to the 36 MB shared L3 cache and the Ice Lake architecture's improved IPC over older server designs. For workloads that can saturate 48 threads, the single-thread deficit becomes irrelevant; for anything latency-sensitive or branch-heavy, it will be a limiting factor.

Power and Thermals

The 6336Y carries a 185 W TDP, which places it in the high-power segment of Intel's server lineup. This is not a chip for passive cooling or compact chassis; the data implies a robust thermal solution is mandatory. A 185 W TDP class typically requires a high-end air cooler or a liquid cooling loop in a server context, and the Ice Lake-SP architecture's 10 nm process node from Intel suggests that thermals are manageable but not trivial — the boost clock of 3.60 GHz on 24 cores will generate significant heat under sustained load. The eight-channel DDR4 memory bus, with a peak bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, further indicates that the memory controllers and uncore will contribute to overall power draw, though the FACT PACK provides no separate figures for idle or partial-load consumption. For a system builder, the 185 W TDP means power delivery and chassis airflow must be planned for, not assumed; the 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes also draw additional power when populated, though no exact figures are given.

Benchmark Performance

Cinebench results show a consistent pattern: the 6336Y is a multi-core specialist. In R23, the 38,689 multi-core score is roughly 7.1x the single-core score of 5,462, which is excellent scaling. In R20, the 16,249 multi-core result versus 2,294 single-core yields the same ratio, and in R15, 3,899 versus 550 gives a 7.1x multiplier again. This linear scaling indicates that the 24 cores are fully utilized without significant thermal or power throttling in the benchmark environment. The average benchmark score of 11,191 places it just below the Intel Core i3-1305U (score 11,225, delta -0.3%) and just above the AMD EPYC 7542 (score 11,152, delta +0.4%). The delta percentages are tiny — less than one percent in all cases — meaning that in the database's aggregate metric, the 6336Y is effectively tied with its nearest rivals. However, the Cinebench multi-core scores tell a different story: the 6336Y's R23 multi-core result of 38,689 is substantially higher than what a 2-core mobile chip like the i3-1305U could produce, indicating that the average score is skewed by the i3's strong single-core performance. The 6336Y's 71st percentile ranking reflects this duality: it outperforms most CPUs in multi-threaded tests but underperforms many in single-threaded tests.

How It Compares

Intel Core i3-1305U: The 6336Y trails by 0.3% in average score (11,191 vs 11,225). This is a remarkable comparison because the i3-1305U is a low-power mobile chip with far fewer cores; the 6336Y's advantage in multi-threaded workloads is offset by the i3's superior single-core efficiency. In practice, the 6336Y will crush the i3 in any multi-threaded task, but the i3 will feel snappier in single-threaded desktop or light server tasks.

AMD EPYC 7542: The 6336Y leads by 0.4% (11,191 vs 11,152). The EPYC 7542 is a 32-core Zen 2 part, so the 6336Y's 24-core Ice Lake design manages to edge it out on average, likely due to higher per-core IPC. The delta is negligible, meaning both chips are interchangeable in aggregate performance, but the EPYC's higher core count may win in specific scale-out workloads while the 6336Y's higher clock speeds help in latency-bound tasks.

AMD EPYC 9224: The 6336Y leads by 0.7% (11,191 vs 11,118). The EPYC 9224 is a newer Genoa part, yet the 6336Y holds a slight edge in the database's average metric. This suggests that the 6336Y's 3.60 GHz boost clock and mature Ice Lake architecture compensate for the EPYC's architectural advantages in this particular benchmark suite. The gap is small enough to be noise, but the 6336Y is the nominal winner here.

AMD EPYC 7452: The 6336Y trails by 0.8% (11,191 vs 11,279). The EPYC 7452 is a 32-core Zen 2 chip, and its higher core count gives it a slight aggregate edge. The 6336Y's 24 cores are not enough to overcome the EPYC's core advantage in the average score, even though the 6336Y likely wins in single-threaded tests. This is the closest comparison, with the delta well within run-to-run variance.

Who Should Consider It

The 6336Y is designed for multi-threaded server and workstation workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 38,689 indicates strong performance for video rendering, 3D simulation, scientific computing, and batch data processing — tasks that scale across 48 threads. For gaming, the single-core score of 5,462 in R23 is mediocre compared to modern desktop chips, so this is not a gaming processor; the 185 W TDP and server socket also preclude typical consumer builds. For content creation, the multi-core results are compelling: the R20 score of 16,249 and R15 score of 3,899 show that rendering and encoding tasks will complete quickly, though single-threaded effects or plugin processing will lag. For office and general productivity, the 6336Y is overkill and underperforms in single-threaded tasks; a lower-core-count part with a higher boost clock would be more appropriate. The sweet spot is high-throughput computing: database servers, virtualization hosts, and multi-tenant workloads where the 48 threads and 36 MB L3 cache shine.

Platform and Compatibility

The 6336Y uses Intel Socket 4189, which is specific to Ice Lake-SP Xeon processors. It supports DDR4 memory in an eight-channel configuration, with a peak bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s — a figure that indicates high memory throughput for large datasets. ECC memory is supported, which is critical for server reliability. The chip provides 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, enabling high-speed NVMe storage and GPU connectivity. The platform's upgrade path is limited to other Ice Lake-SP Xeon parts, as Socket 4189 is not forward-compatible with newer architectures. The 10 nm process node from Intel suggests a mature manufacturing process, but the architecture is from 2021, so newer Xeon generations offer more features. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means no overclocking; the chip runs at stock clocks only. For a server platform, the eight-channel memory and 64 PCIe lanes are the key advantages, providing ample bandwidth for memory-intensive and I/O-heavy workloads.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Xeon Gold 6336Y?

A: The 6336Y has 24 cores and 48 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Q: How does the 6336Y perform in single-threaded tasks?

A: Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 5,462, which is modest for a server chip; the R20 single-core score is 2,294 and R15 single-core score is 550, indicating limited lightly-threaded performance.

Q: What memory configuration does the 6336Y support?

A: It supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with ECC, offering a peak bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s.

Q: Is the 6336Y good for gaming?

A: No. The single-core scores are too low for gaming, and the 185 W TDP plus server socket make it unsuitable for consumer gaming builds.

Q: What is the TDP of the 6336Y?

A: The TDP is 185 W, which requires a robust cooling solution in a server chassis.

Q: How does the 6336Y compare to the AMD EPYC 7542?

A: The 6336Y has an average score of 11,191 versus 11,152 for the EPYC 7542, a delta of +0.4%, meaning the 6336Y has a negligible aggregate advantage.