Intel Xeon Gold 6346

Server CPUIntel

Also called intel xeon gold 6346, xeon gold 6346, 6346, xeon-gold-6346

IntelServer CPUIce Lake

Intel Xeon Gold server processor on Ice Lake, with 16 cores and 32 threads and 36 MB L3 at 205 W TDP on a 10 nm process addressing up to 6 GB and no integrated graphics.

What you need to know

Still a capable Xeon Gold desktop chip.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 launched in April 1, 2021., It has 16 cores and 32 threads on Ice Lake, dropping into the FCLGA4189 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.

Still good?: Yes, for most work this class is sold for
Product age: 5 years old
Upgrade pressure: Low to moderate

Feex says

This SKU has no picture of its own. If the machine has no discrete GPU, a black screen after install is expected, not a dead CPU.

What this hardware means today

Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.

Performance today: Very Good. Very Good for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
Product age 5 years old: Aging. Launched April 1, 2021. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
Support status: Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
Upgrade pressure: Low to moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.

Where does it sit?

Ice Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.

11th Gen

12th Gen

13th Gen

14th Gen

Core Ultra

Performance context

These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.

Gaming: Poor fit

Not the job. Use a desktop or workstation part if games are the point.

Productivity: Very Good

16 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.

Multithreaded workloads: Very Good

32 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.

General use: Excellent

Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.

Efficiency: Average

Rated 205 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.

Should you upgrade?

Probably not based on CPU performance alone.

Upgrade makes more sense if

Your workload is strongly CPU limited
You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
You need substantially more multicore performance
You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer

Upgrade makes less sense if

The GPU is the real bottleneck
Current applications are already responsive
The CPU rarely limits your workload

Specifications

Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.

Processor

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 is built on Ice Lake using a 10 nm process.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Processor
Manufacturer	Intel
Family	Xeon Gold
Architecture	Ice Lake
Generation	3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
Manufacturing process	10 nm
Segment	Server

Cores and threads

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Cores and threads
Cores	16
Threads	32

Clock speeds

Base clock is 3.1 GHz. Boost reaches 3.6 GHz.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Clock speeds
Base frequency	3.1 GHz
Max boost	3.6 GHz

Cache

Cache on this sheet is 36 MB L3.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Cache
L3 cache	36 MB
Total cache	36 MB

Memory

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 addresses 6 GB across 8 memory channels.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Memory
Supported types	DDR4
Max capacity	6 GB
Channels	8

Package and power

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 uses the FCLGA4189 socket and a 205 W TDP.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Package and power
Socket	FCLGA4189
TDP	205 W
PCIe	Revision 4.0, 64 lanes

Integrated graphics

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 does not include integrated graphics.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Integrated graphics
Integrated graphics	None

Market

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 launched April 1, 2021 at USD 2708 (suggested price at launch).

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Market
Launch date	April 1, 2021
Launch MSRP	USD 2708 (suggested price at launch)
Model	6346

Features

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 records 8 instruction sets on this sheet.

Intel Xeon Gold 6346 specifications: Features
Instruction sets	AES-NIAVX-512AVX2AVXFMASHA64-bit (x86-64)SSE4.2
Security	Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardSGXTrusted ExecutionMode-Based Execute Control
Virtualization	Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization)

Compatibility

Compatibility
Socket	FCLGA4189
Board	A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision.
Memory	DDR4, up to 6 GB
Graphics	Requires a discrete GPU. This SKU has no iGPU.

A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.

Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.

Do not expect a display from the motherboard video ports. This SKU has no integrated graphics.

No display after install

This SKU has no integrated graphics. A machine with no discrete GPU will not show a picture. That is expected, not a dead CPU.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.

Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.

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