Intel Xeon Gold 6346
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
ECC MemoryAt a Glance
IntelIntel Xeon Gold 6346 Specifications
Xeon Gold 6346 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Xeon Gold 6346 features 16 physical cores and 32 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Gold 6346 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Xeon Gold 6346 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Xeon Gold 6346 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Xeon Gold 6346 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Gold 6346 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Xeon Gold 6346's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Ice Lake Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Xeon Gold 6346 is built on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Gold 6346 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Ice Lake Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Xeon Gold 6346 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Gold 6346 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Xeon Gold 6346 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 205W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 4189 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Xeon Gold 6346 uses the Intel Socket 4189 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 4189 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Gold 6346 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Xeon Gold 6346 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Xeon Gold 6346 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Xeon Gold 6346 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Xeon Gold 6346 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Xeon Gold 6346 Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Xeon Gold 6346 performs in parallel rendering workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R15 single-core measures the speed of one CPU thread rendering 3D geometry. This score indicates how Intel Xeon Gold 6346 handles tasks that can't be parallelized.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Xeon Gold 6346. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors. Content creators and 3D artists use this benchmark to estimate real-world render performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Xeon Gold 6346. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs. Single-thread performance remains critical for gaming and applications with serial bottlenecks.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Xeon Gold 6346 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss. Professional users rely on R23 scores to predict real-world rendering performance under sustained workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Xeon Gold 6346 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance. This score is particularly important for understanding real-world responsiveness beyond initial boost behavior.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Xeon Gold 6346
The Intel Xeon Gold 6346 is an active 16-core, 32-thread Ice Lake-SP server/workstation processor on Intel Socket 4189. It is built on Intel's 10 nm process, supports DDR4 with ECC across an eight-channel memory bus rated at 204.8 GB/s, and provides 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU. In the database it holds an average benchmark score of 9270, placing it in the 69th percentile of all CPUs.
Platform and Compatibility
The Gold 6346 uses Intel Socket 4189, the socket associated with the Ice Lake-SP generation of Xeon Gold processors. Its market segment is server/workstation, and production status is Active. The process node is Intel's 10 nm process, with Intel as the foundry.
Memory support is DDR4 with ECC enabled. The memory bus is eight-channel, and the listed memory bandwidth is 204.8 GB/s. The CPU provides a PCIe Gen 4 interface with 64 lanes from the CPU. The cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache.
The multiplier is not unlocked, so the processor is not positioned for core-clock overclocking. The platform's upgrade path follows the Socket 4189 and Ice Lake-SP generation, and the Active production status means the part is a current product rather than a discontinued legacy option.
How It Compares
Against the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, the Gold 6346 has a deltaPct of -0.1. The Threadripper 3960X posts an average score of 9284, so the Gold 6346 trails by 0.1% in the aggregate database metric. This is effectively a tie.
Against the Intel Core i5-10300H, the Gold 6346 has a deltaPct of 0.2. The i5-10300H posts an average score of 9248, putting the Gold 6346 0.2% ahead on average.
Against the Intel Xeon Gold 5320, the Gold 6346 has a deltaPct of 0.4. The Gold 5320 posts an average score of 9234, making the Gold 6346 the stronger of the two by 0.4%.
Against the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, the Gold 6346 has a deltaPct of -0.4. The Ryzen 5 3500U posts an average score of 9312, so the Gold 6346 is 0.4% behind on the aggregate metric. This is the largest deficit in its nearest-rival group.
Power and Thermals
The Gold 6346 carries a TDP of 205 W. That places it in the high-power server/workstation class, and it implies a cooling solution designed for high-core-count socket processors in a server chassis or workstation rather than a lightweight desktop cooler. The 16-core, 32-thread configuration fits within that 205 W envelope at a base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Sustained multi-threaded workloads are the intended operating profile, which reinforces the need for robust thermal handling.
FAQ
Q: What socket is the Intel Xeon Gold 6346 compatible with?
A: It uses Intel Socket 4189, the socket for the Ice Lake-SP generation of Xeon Gold processors.
Q: What memory support does it offer?
A: It supports DDR4 memory with ECC, using an eight-channel memory bus rated at 204.8 GB/s.
Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?
A: It provides 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU.
Q: What are the core and thread counts, and the clock speeds?
A: It has 16 cores and 32 threads, with a 3.10 GHz base clock and a 3.60 GHz boost clock.
Q: What is its production status and release date?
A: Production status is Active, and the release date is 2021-04-05.
Q: What is its part number and overall database position?
A: The part number is SRKHNCD8068904570201. It has an average benchmark score of 9270 and sits in the 69th percentile of all CPUs.
Benchmark Performance
Cinebench results show a processor that is substantially stronger in multi-threaded work. In Cinebench R15, it scores 3230 multi-core and 456 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 13461 multi-core and 1900 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 32051 multi-core and 4524 single-core.
The aggregate average benchmark score is 9270. Against its nearest rivals, the Gold 6346 is 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-10300H, 0.4% ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 5320, and 0.4% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U. These deltas keep the Gold 6346 in a tight competitive band around the 9270 average score, and the 69th percentile placement indicates it sits above the median CPU in the database.
Who Should Consider It
The Gold 6346 is aimed at server and workstation environments where 16 cores, 32 threads, ECC DDR4, and 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes are useful. Creation workloads that scale across cores align with the strong multi-core results, particularly the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32051. Office-oriented workloads tend to depend more on single-thread performance; the R23 single-core score of 4524 is serviceable but not the processor's standout attribute. Gaming is not the target workload: the product is classified as server/workstation, and the data does not list integrated graphics. The 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth and 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes further point toward memory- and I/O-heavy compute duties.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The gap between single-thread and multi-thread scores is decisive across all Cinebench versions. In R15, the multi-core score is 3230 versus 456 single-core. In R20, it is 13461 multi-core versus 1900 single-core. In R23, it is 32051 multi-core versus 4524 single-core.
That multi-core output is driven by 16 cores and 32 threads sharing 36 MB of L3 cache. The single-thread numbers sit where the 3.10 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock would suggest. Workloads that utilize many threads will capture most of the available performance, while single-thread-bound applications will see a relatively modest result closer to the 4524 R23 single-core score. This made the Gold 6346 a throughput-oriented part, with single-thread speed playing a supporting role.
The AMD Equivalent of Xeon Gold 6346
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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