Processor Intel Xeon Gold 6246 3.3 GHz 12 Cores 24.75 MB LGA 3647

Processor Intel Xeon Gold 6246 operates at a base frequency of 3.3 GHz and features 12 physical cores with 24.75 MB of last-level cache. Built on the Cascade Lake microarchitecture for the LGA 3647 (Socket P) platform, this server-class CPU supports hexa-channel DDR4 memory up to a maximum internal capacity of 1.02 TB and includes advanced instruction set support such as SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2 and AVX-512 for high-performance and virtualization workloads.

Advantages

The Intel Xeon Gold 6246 provides hardware features that improve performance, security and manageability for server and workstation environments. It supports Intel Turbo Boost and Turbo Boost Max technologies to raise single-core frequencies when needed, Hyper-Threading for increased parallelism, and a large shared cache (Intel Smart Cache) to reduce memory latency. Built-in virtualization and security extensions such as VT-x, VT-d, EPT, Intel AES-NI, Execute Disable Bit and Intel Run Sure Technology enhance isolation, encryption acceleration and platform reliability.

Suitable for

• Virtualized server hosts and hyper-converged infrastructure
• High-performance computing and scientific workloads that use AVX/AVX-512
• Database servers and in-memory analytics
• Enterprise applications requiring hardware-based security and manageability (vPro-class features)

Key specifications

• Model: Intel Xeon Gold 6246 (Cascade Lake)
• Base frequency: 3.3 GHz; Max Turbo Frequency: 4.2 GHz
• Cores / Threads: 12 cores (supports Hyper-Threading)
• Cache: 24.75 MB last-level cache (Intel Smart Cache)
• Socket: LGA 3647 (Socket P)
• Memory: Hexa-channel DDR4-SDRAM; max internal memory 1.02 TB
• Process technology: 14 nm
• Instruction sets & extensions: SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, Intel AES-NI, Intel DL Boost (VNNI)
• Virtualization & platform features: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (SLAT), Intel RDT, Intel VMD
• Reliability & power features: Enhanced Intel SpeedStep, Speed Shift, Execute Disable Bit, Run Sure Technology

How to use

Install the processor in a compatible LGA 3647 motherboard following the motherboard and CPU vendor instructions, ensuring correct socket orientation, mounting of the CPU retention mechanism, and application of appropriate thermal interface material. Populate memory in accordance with the hexa-channel layout recommended by the motherboard manufacturer to achieve optimal memory bandwidth. Configure BIOS/UEFI settings for required features such as Hyper-Threading, Turbo Boost, virtualization (VT-x/VT-d) and memory mode. Use appropriate cooling and power delivery for server workloads to maintain stability under sustained load.

Recommendations

The Intel Xeon Gold 6246 is best used in multi-socket or high-density single-socket server configurations for compute- and memory-intensive tasks. For workloads that benefit from wide-vector instructions, enable and optimize software for AVX-512 and VNNI. Ensure up-to-date firmware and platform drivers to take advantage of security, virtualization and reliability features.