Xeon

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Xeon
Logo since 2020
General information
LaunchedJune 1998; 25 years ago (June 1998)
Marketed byIntel
Designed byIntel
Common manufacturer(s)
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate400 MHz to 5.3 GHz
FSB speeds100 MT/s to 1.6 GT/s
QPI speeds4.8 GT/s to 24 GT/s
DMI speeds2.0 GT/s to 16 GT/s
Data widthUp to 64 bits
Address widthUp to 64 bits
Virtual address widthUp to 57 bits
Cache
L1 cacheUp to 80 KB per core
L2 cacheUp to 2 MB per core
L3 cacheUp to 320 MB per socket
L4 cacheUp to 64 GB HBM2e[1]
Architecture and classification
Application
Technology node250 nm to Intel 3 and TSMC N5
Microarchitecture
Instruction setIA-32, x86-64
InstructionsMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AVX-512, AVX-VNNI, TSX, AES-NI, CLMUL, RDRAND
Extensions
Physical specifications
Cores
  • Up to 64 cores per socket (up to 128 threads per socket)
Memory (RAM)
  • Up to 4 TB and 8 channels per socket
  • Up to DDR5-5600 with ECC support
GPU(s)Intel Graphics Technology (some models only)
Co-processorXeon Phi (2010-2020)
Socket(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
    • Xeon E
    • Xeon D
    • Xeon w3[2]
    • Xeon w5[2]
    • Xeon w7[2]
    • Xeon w9[2]
    • Xeon Bronze
    • Xeon Silver
    • Xeon Gold
    • Xeon Platinum
    • Xeon Max[3]
Variant(s)
History
Predecessor(s)Pentium Pro
Support status
Supported

Xeon (/ˈzɒn/; ZEE-on) is a brand of x86 microprocessors designed, manufactured, and marketed by Intel, targeted at the non-consumer workstation, server, and embedded markets. It was introduced in June 1998. Xeon processors are based on the same architecture as regular desktop-grade CPUs, but have advanced features such as support for error correction code (ECC) memory, higher core counts, more PCI Express lanes, support for larger amounts of RAM, larger cache memory and extra provision for enterprise-grade reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features responsible for handling hardware exceptions through the Machine Check Architecture (MCA). They are often capable of safely continuing execution where a normal processor cannot due to these extra RAS features, depending on the type and severity of the machine-check exception (MCE). Some also support multi-socket systems with two, four, or eight sockets through use of the Ultra Path Interconnect (UPI) bus, which replaced the older QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) bus.

Intel Xeon E5-1620's front and back.

Overview[edit]

The Xeon brand has been maintained over several generations of IA-32 and x86-64 processors. The P6-based models added the Xeon moniker to the end of the name of their corresponding desktop processor, but a all models since 2001 used the name Xeon on its own. The Xeon CPUs generally have more cache and cores than their desktop counterparts in addition to multiprocessing capabilities.

Some shortcomings that make Xeon processors unsuitable for most consumer-grade desktop PCs include lower clock rates at the same price point (since servers run more tasks in parallel than desktops, core counts are more important than clock rates), and, usually, the lack of an integrated graphics processing unit (GPU). Processor models prior to Sapphire Rapids-WS lack support for overclocking (with the exception of Xeon W-3175X). Despite such disadvantages, Xeon processors have always had popularity among some desktop users (video editors and other power users), mainly due to higher core count potential, and higher performance to price ratio vs. the Core i7 in terms of total computing power of all cores. Since most Intel Xeon CPUs lack an integrated GPU, systems built with those processors require a discrete graphics card or a separate GPU if computer monitor output is desired.

Intel Xeon is a distinct product line from the similarly named Intel Xeon Phi. The first-generation Xeon Phi is a completely different type of device more comparable to a graphics card; it is designed for a PCI Express slot and is meant to be used as a multi-core coprocessor, like the Nvidia Tesla. In the second generation, Xeon Phi evolved into a main processor more similar to the Xeon. It conforms to the same socket as a Xeon processor and is x86-compatible; however, as compared to Xeon, the design point of the Xeon Phi emphasizes more cores with higher memory bandwidth.

Intel Xeon processor family: Server
1 or 2 Sockets
UP/DP/3000/5000/E3/E5-1xxx and 2xxx/E7-2xxx/D/E/W series
Bronze/Silver/Gold (non H)/Platinum (non H)/Max
4 or 8 Sockets
MP/7000/E5-4xxx/E7-4xxx and 8xxx seriesGold (H)/Platinum (H)
Node
Code named # of
Cores
Release
date
Code named # of
Cores
Release
date
250 nm
Drake 1 Jun 1998
Tanner 1 Mar 1999
180 nm
Cascades (256 KB L2 cache) 1 Oct 1999 Cascades (700 and 900 MHz models only) 1 May 2000
Foster 1 May 2001 Foster MP 1 Mar 2002
130 nm
Prestonia 1 Feb 2002
Gallatin DP 1 Jul 2003 Gallatin 1 Nov 2002
90 nm
Nocona 1 Jun 2004 Cranford 1 Mar 2005
Potomac 1 Mar 2005
Irwindale 1 Feb 2005
Paxville DP 2 Oct 2005 Paxville 2 Nov 2005
65 nm
Dempsey 2 May 2006 Tulsa 2 Aug 2006
Sossaman 2 Mar 2006
Woodcrest 2 Jun 2006
Conroe 2 Oct 2006
Clovertown 4 Nov 2006 Tigerton/Tigerton QC 2/4 Sep 2007
Allendale 2 Jan 2007
Kentsfield 4 Jan 2007
45 nm
Wolfdale DP 2 Nov 2007
Harpertown 4 Nov 2007 Dunnington QC/Dunnington 4/6 Sep 2008
Wolfdale 2 Feb 2008
Yorkfield 4 Mar 2008
Bloomfield (W35xx) 4 Mar 2009
Gainestown (55xx) 2/4 Mar 2009
Lynnfield (34xx) 4 Sep 2009
Beckton (65xx) 4/6/8 Mar 2010 Beckton (75xx) 4-8 Mar 2010
32 nm
Westmere-EP (56xx) 2-6 Mar 2010
Gulftown (W36xx) 6 Mar 2010
Clarkdale (L34xx) 2 Mar 2010
Westmere-EX (E7-2xxx) 6-10 Apr 2011 Westmere-EX (E7-4xxx/8xxx) 6-10 Apr 2011
Sandy Bridge-DT/EN/EP 2-8 Mar 2012 Sandy Bridge-EP (E5-46xx) 4-8 May 2012
22 nm
Ivy Bridge (E3/E5-1xxx/E5-2xxx v2) 2-12 Sep 2013 Ivy Bridge-EP (E5-46xx v2) 4-12 Mar 2014
Ivy Bridge-EX (E7-28xx v2) 12/15 Feb 2014 Ivy Bridge-EX (E7-48xx/88xx v2) 6-12/15 Feb 2014
Haswell (E3/E5-1xxx/E5-2xxx v3) 2-18 Sep 2014 Haswell-EP (E5-46xx v3) 6-18 Jun 2015
Haswell-EX (E7-48xx/88xx v3) 4-18 May 2015
14 nm
Broadwell (E3/E5-1xxx/E5-2xxx v4) 4-22 Jun 2015
Skylake-S/H (E3-1xxx v5) 4 Oct 2015
Kaby Lake-S/H (E3-1xxx v6) 4 Mar 2017
Skylake-W/SP (Bronze and Silver) 4-28 Jun 2017 Skylake-SP (Gold and Platinum) 4-28 Jul 2017
Cascade Lake-W/SP (Bronze/Silver/R/U) 4-28 Apr 2019 Cascade Lake-SP (Gold (non-R/U)/Platinum) 4-28 Apr 2019
Cooper Lake-SP 8-28 Jun 2020
10 nm
Ice Lake-SP/W 8-40 Apr 2021
Ice Lake-D 2-20 Feb 2022
Intel 7
Sapphire Rapids-SP/WS/HBM 6-56 Jan 2023 Sapphire Rapids-SP 8-60 Jan 2023
Emerald Rapids-SP 8-64 Dec 2023
List of Intel Xeon processors

P6-based Xeon[edit]

Pentium II Xeon[edit]

450 MHz Pentium II Xeon with 512 KB L2 cache: The cartridge cover has been removed.

The first Xeon-branded processor was the Pentium II Xeon (code-named "Drake"). It was released in 1998, replacing the Pentium Pro in Intel's high-end server lineup. The Pentium II Xeon was a "Deschutes" Pentium II (and shared the same product code: 80523) with a full-speed 512 kB (1 kB = 1024 B), 1 MB (1 MB = 1024 kB = 10242 B), or 2 MB L2 cache. The L2 cache was implemented with custom 512 kB SRAMs developed by Intel. The number of SRAMs depended on the amount of cache. A 512 kB configuration required one SRAM, a 1 MB configuration: two SRAMs, and a 2 MB configuration: four SRAMs on both sides of the PCB. Each SRAM was a 12.90 mm by 17.23 mm (222.21 mm2) die fabricated in a 0.35 µm four-layer metal CMOS process and packaged in a cavity-down wire-bonded land grid array (LGA).[4] The additional cache required a larger module and thus the Pentium II Xeon used a larger slot, Slot 2. It was supported by the i440GX dual-processor workstation chipset and the i450NX quad- or octo-processor server chipset.

Pentium III Xeon[edit]

Back of a Pentium III Xeon with its cover set aside; there is a heatsink on the front side (underneath) of the circuit board.
Front of a Pentium III Xeon circuit board without its heatsink
Die shot of a Cascades Pentium III Xeon

In 1999, the Pentium II Xeon was replaced by the Pentium III Xeon. Reflecting the incremental changes from the Pentium II "Deschutes" core to the Pentium III "Katmai" core, the first Pentium III Xeon, named "Tanner", was just like its predecessor except for the addition of Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE) and a few cache controller improvements. The product codes for Tanner mirrored that of Katmai; 80525.

The second version, named "Cascades", was based on the Pentium III "Coppermine" core. The "Cascades" Xeon used a 133 MT/s front side bus and relatively small 256 kB on-die L2 cache resulting in almost the same capabilities as the Slot 1 Coppermine processors, which were capable of dual-processor operation but not quad-processor or octa-processor operation.

To improve this situation, Intel released another version, officially also named "Cascades", but often referred to as "Cascades 2 MB". That came in two variants: with 1 MB or 2 MB of L2 cache. Its bus speed was fixed at 100 MT/s, though in practice the cache was able to offset this. The product code for Cascades mirrored that of Coppermine; 80526.

NetBurst-based Xeon [edit]

Xeon (DP) and Xeon MP (32-bit)[edit]

Foster[edit]

In mid-2001, the Xeon brand was introduced ("Pentium" was dropped from the name). The initial variant that used the new NetBurst microarchitecture, "Foster", was slightly different from the desktop Pentium 4 ("Willamette"). It was a decent[clarification needed] chip for workstations, but for server applications it was almost always outperformed by the older Cascades cores with a 2 MB L2 cache and AMD's Athlon MP[example needed]. Combined with the need to use expensive Rambus Dynamic RAM, the Foster's sales were somewhat unimpressive[example needed].

At most two Foster processors could be accommodated in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) system built with a mainstream chipset, so a second version (Foster MP) was introduced with 512 KB or 1 MB L3 cache and the Jackson Hyper-Threading capacity. This improved performance slightly, but not enough to lift it out of third place. It was also priced much higher than the dual-processor (DP) versions. The Foster shared the 80528 product code with Willamette.

Prestonia[edit]

In 2002 Intel released a 130 nm version of Xeon branded CPU, codenamed "Prestonia". It supported Intel's new Hyper-Threading technology and had a 512 kB L2 cache. This was based on the "Northwood" Pentium 4 core. A new server chipset, E7500 (which allowed the use of dual-channel DDR SDRAM), was released to support this processor in servers, and soon the bus speed was boosted to 533 MT/s (accompanied by a new socket and two new chipsets: the E7501 for servers and the E7505 for workstations). The Prestonia performed much better than its predecessor and noticeably better than Athlon MP. The support of new features in the E75xx series also gave it a key advantage over the Pentium III Xeon and Athlon MP branded CPUs (both stuck with rather old chipsets), and it quickly became the top-selling server/workstation processor.

Gallatin[edit]

Gallatin
General information
LaunchedMarch 2003
Discontinued2004
CPUID code0F7x
Product code80537
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.50 GHz to 3.20 GHz
FSB speeds400 MT/s to 533 MT/s
Cache
L1 cache8 kB + 12 kuOps trace cache
L2 cache512 kB
L3 cache1 MB, 2 MB, 4 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP and MP Server
Technology node130 nm
MicroarchitectureNetBurst
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 1
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon

Subsequent to the Prestonia was the "Gallatin", which had an L3 cache of 1 MB or 2 MB. Its Xeon MP version, which succeeded Foster MP, was popular in servers. Later experience with the 130 nm process allowed Intel to create the Xeon MP branded Gallatin with 4 MB cache. The Xeon branded Prestonia and Gallatin were designated 80532, like Northwood.

Xeon (DP) and Xeon MP (64-bit)[edit]

Nocona and Irwindale[edit]

Due to a lack of success with Intel's Itanium and Itanium 2 processors, AMD was able to introduce x86-64, a 64-bit extension to the x86 architecture. Intel followed suit by including Intel 64 (formerly EM64T; it is almost identical to AMD64) in the 90 nm version of the Pentium 4 ("Prescott"), and a Xeon version codenamed "Nocona" with 1 MB L2 cache was released in 2004. Released with it were the E7525 (workstation), E7520 and E7320 (both server) chipsets, which added support for PCI Express 1.0a, DDR2 and Serial ATA 1.0a. The Xeon was noticeably slower than AMD's Opteron, although it could be faster in situations where Hyper-Threading came into play.

A slightly updated core called "Irwindale" was released in early 2005, with 2 MB L2 cache and the ability to have its clock speed reduced during low processor demand. Although it was a bit more competitive than the Nocona had been, independent tests showed that AMD's Opteron still outperformed Irwindale. Both of these Prescott-derived Xeons have the product code 80546.

Cranford and Potomac[edit]

64-bit Xeon MPs were introduced in April 2005. The cheaper "Cranford" was an MP version of Nocona, while the more expensive "Potomac" was a Cranford with 8 MB of L3 cache. Like Nocona and Irwindale, they also have product code 80546.

Dual-Core Xeon[edit]

"Paxville DP"[edit]

Paxville
General information
LaunchedOctober 2005
DiscontinuedAugust 2008
CPUID code0F48
Product code80551, 80560
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate2.667 GHz to 3.0 GHz
FSB speeds667 MT/s to 800 MT/s
Cache
L2 cache2×2 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP Server, MP Server
Technology node90 nm
MicroarchitectureNetBurst
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 2
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon

The first dual-core CPU branded Xeon, codenamed Paxville DP, product code 80551, was released by Intel on October 10, 2005. Paxville DP had NetBurst microarchitecture, and was a dual-core equivalent of the single-core Irwindale (related to the Pentium D branded "Smithfield") with 4 MB of L2 cache (2 MB per core). The only Paxville DP model released ran at 2.8 GHz, featured an 800 MT/s front side bus, and was produced using a 90 nm process.

7000-series "Paxville MP"[edit]

An MP-capable version of Paxville, codenamed Paxville MP, product code 80560, was released on November 1, 2005. There are two versions: one with 2 MB of L2 cache (1 MB per core), and one with 4 MB of L2 (2 MB per core). Paxville MP, called the dual-core Xeon 7000-series, was produced using a 90 nm process. Paxville MP clock ranges between 2.67 GHz and 3.0 GHz (model numbers 7020–7041), with some models having a 667 MT/s FSB, and others having an 800 MT/s FSB.

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
7020 2.66 GHz 2 × 1 MB 667 MT/s 165 W
7030 2.80 GHz 800 MT/s
7040 3.00 GHz 2 × 2 MB 667 MT/s
7041 800 MT/s

7100-series "Tulsa"[edit]

Tulsa
General information
LaunchedAugust 2006
DiscontinuedAugust 2008
CPUID code0F68
Product code80550
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate2.50 GHz to 3.50 GHz
FSB speeds667 MT/s to 800 MT/s
Cache
L2 cache2×1 MB
L3 cache16 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationMP Server
Technology node65 nm
MicroarchitectureNetBurst
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 2
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 71xx

Released on August 29, 2006,[5] the 7100 series, codenamed Tulsa (product code 80550), is an improved version of Paxville MP, built on a 65 nm process, with 2 MB of L2 cache (1 MB per core) and up to 16 MB of L3 cache. It uses Socket 604.[6] Tulsa was released in two lines: the N-line uses a 667 MT/s FSB, and the M-line uses an 800 MT/s FSB. The N-line ranges from 2.5 GHz to 3.5 GHz (model numbers 7110N-7150N), and the M-line ranges from 2.6 GHz to 3.4 GHz (model numbers 7110M-7140M). L3 cache ranges from 4 MB to 16 MB across the models.[7]

Model Speed L2 cache L3 cache FSB TDP
7110N 2.50 GHz 2 MB 4 MB 667 MT/s 095 W
7110M 2.60 GHz 800 MT/s
7120N 3.00 GHz 667 MT/s
7120M 800 MT/s
7130N 3.16 GHz 8 MB 667 MT/s 150 W
7130M 3.20 GHz 800 MT/s
7140N 3.33 GHz 16 MB 667 MT/s
7140M 3.40 GHz 800 MT/s
7150N 3.50 GHz 667 MT/s

5000-series "Dempsey"[edit]

Dempsey
General information
LaunchedMay 2006
DiscontinuedAugust 2008
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate2.50 GHz to 3.73 GHz
FSB speeds667 MT/s to 1066 MT/s
Cache
L2 cache4 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP Server
Technology node65nm
MicroarchitectureNetBurst
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 2
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 50xx

On May 23, 2006, Intel released the dual-core CPU (Xeon branded 5000 series) codenamed Dempsey (product code 80555). Released as the Dual-Core Xeon 5000-series, Dempsey is a NetBurst microarchitecture processor produced using a 65 nm process, and is virtually identical to Intel's "Presler" Pentium Extreme Edition, except for the addition of SMP support, which lets Dempsey operate in dual-processor systems. Dempsey ranges between 2.50 GHz and 3.73 GHz (model numbers 5020–5080). Some models have a 667 MT/s FSB, and others have a 1066 MT/s FSB. Dempsey has 4 MB of L2 cache (2 MB per core). A Medium Voltage model, at 3.2 GHz and 1066 MT/s FSB (model number 5063), has also been released. Dempsey also introduces a new interface for Xeon processors: LGA 771, also known as Socket J. Dempsey was the first Xeon core in a long time to be somewhat competitive with its Opteron-based counterparts, although it could not claim a decisive lead in any performance metric – that would have to wait for its successor, the Woodcrest.

Model Speed (GHz) L2 cache FSB TDP
5020 2.50 GHz 2 × 2 MB 667 MT/s 95 W
5030 2.66 GHz
5040 2.83 GHz
5050 3.00 GHz
5060 3.20 GHz 1.07 GT/s 130 W
5063 95 W
5070 3.46 GHz 130 W
5080 3.73 GHz

Pentium M (Yonah) based Xeon[edit]

LV (ULV), "Sossaman"[edit]

Sossaman
General information
Launched2006
Discontinued2008
CPUID code06Ex
Product code80539
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.667 GHz to 2.167 GHz
FSB speeds667 MT/s
Cache
L2 cache2 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP Server
Technology node65 nm
MicroarchitectureEnhanced Pentium M
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 2
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon

On March 14, 2006, Intel released a dual-core processor codenamed Sossaman and branded as Xeon LV (low-voltage). Subsequently, an ULV (ultra-low-voltage) version was released. The Sossaman was a low-/ultra-low-power and double-processor capable CPU (like AMD Quad FX), based on the "Yonah" processor, for ultradense non-consumer environment (i.e., targeted at the blade-server and embedded markets), and was rated at a thermal design power (TDP) of 31 W (LV: 1.66 GHz, 2 GHz and 2.16 GHz) and 15 W (ULV: 1.66 GHz).[8] As such, it supported most of the same features as earlier Xeons: Virtualization Technology, 667 MT/s front side bus, and dual-core processing, but did not support 64-bit operations, so it could not run 64-bit server software, such as Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, and therefore was limited to 16 GB of memory. A planned successor, codenamed "Merom MP" was to be a drop-in upgrade to enable Sossaman-based servers to upgrade to 64-bit capability. However, this was abandoned in favor of low-voltage versions of the Woodcrest LV processor leaving the Sossaman at a dead-end with no upgrade path.

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
ULV 1.66 1.66 GHz 2 MB 667 MT/s 15 W
LV 1.66 31 W
LV 2.00 2.00 GHz
LV 2.16 2.16 GHz

Core-based Xeon[edit]

Dual-Core[edit]

3000-series "Conroe"[edit]

The 3000 series, codenamed Conroe (product code 80557) dual-core Xeon (branded) CPU,[9] released at the end of September 2006, was the first Xeon for single-CPU operation and is designd for entry-level uniprocessor servers. The same processor is branded as Core 2 Duo or as Pentium Dual-Core and Celeron, with varying features disabled. They use LGA 775 (Socket T), operate on a 1066 MT/s front-side bus, support Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and Intel Virtualization Technology but do not support hyper-threading. Conroe processors with a number ending in "5" have a 1333 MT/s FSB.[10]

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
3040 1.86 GHz 2 MB 1066 MT/s 65 W
3050 2.13 GHz
3055* 4 MB
3060 2.4 GHz
3065 2.33 GHz 1333 MT/s
3070 2.66 GHz 1066 MT/s
3075 1333 MT/s
3080* 2.93 GHz 1066 MT/s
3085 3.00 GHz 1333 MT/s
  • Models marked with an asterisk (*) are not present in Intel's Ark database.[11]

3100-series "Wolfdale"[edit]

The 3100 series, codenamed Wolfdale (product code 80570) dual-core Xeon (branded) CPU, was just a rebranded version of the Intel's mainstream Core 2 Duo E7000/E8000 and Pentium Dual-Core E5000 processors, featuring the same 45 nm process and 6 MB of L2 cache. Unlike most Xeon processors, they only support single-CPU operation. They use LGA 775 (Socket T), operate on a 1333 MT/s front-side bus, support Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and Intel Virtualization Technology but do not support Hyper-Threading.

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
E3110 3.00 GHz 6 MB 1333 MT/s 65 W
L3110 45 W
E3120 3.16 GHz 65 W

5100-series "Woodcrest"[edit]

Woodcrest
General information
Launched2006; 18 years ago (2006)
Discontinued2009; 15 years ago (2009)
Marketed byIntel
Designed byIntel
Common manufacturer(s)
CPUID code06Fx
Product code80556
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.60 GHz to 3.0 GHz
FSB speeds1066 MT/s to 1333 MT/s
Cache
L1 cache128 KB (64 KB (32 KB instruction + 32 KB data) x 2)
L2 cache4 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP Server
Technology node65nm
MicroarchitectureCore/Merom
Instruction setx86-64
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 2
Socket(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 51xx
Variant(s)
  • Clovertown
  • Tigerton
History
Predecessor(s)Dempsey
Successor(s)Wolfdale-DP

On June 26, 2006, Intel released the dual-core CPU (Xeon branded 5100 series) codenamed Woodcrest (product code 80556); it was the first Intel Core/Merom microarchitecture processor to be launched on the market. It is a dual-processor server and workstation version of the Core 2 processor. Intel claimed that it provides an 80% boost in performance, while reducing power consumption by 20% relative to the 5000 series Dempsey.

Most models have a 1333 MT/s FSB, except for the 5110 and 5120, which have a 1066 MT/s FSB. The fastest processor (5160) operates at 3.0 GHz. All Woodcrest processors use the LGA 771 (Socket J) socket and all except two models have a TDP of 65 W. The 5160 has a TDP of 80 W and the 5148LV (2.33 GHz) has a TDP of 40 W. The previous generation Xeons had a TDP of 130 W. All models support Intel 64 (Intel's x86-64 implementation), the XD bit, and Virtualization Technology, with the Demand-based switching power management option only on Dual-Core Xeon 5140 or above. Woodcrest has 4 MB of shared L2 cache.

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
5110 1.60 GHz 4 MB 1066 MT/s 65 W
5120 1.83 GHz
5128 40 W
5130 2.0 GHz 1333 MT/s 65 W
5138 2.13 GHz 1066 MT/s 35 W
5140 2.33 GHz 1333 MT/s 65 W
5148 40 W
5150 2.66 GHz 65 W
5160 3.00 GHz 80 W

5200-series "Wolfdale-DP"[edit]

Wolfdale-DP
General information
Launched2007
Discontinuedpresent
CPUID code1067x
Product code80573
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.866 GHz to 3.50 GHz
FSB speeds1066 MT/s to 1600 MT/s
Cache
L2 cache6 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP Server
Technology node45 nm
MicroarchitecturePenryn
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 2
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 52xx

On November 11, 2007, Intel released the dual-core CPU (Xeon branded 5200 series) codenamed Wolfdale-DP (product code 80573).[12] It is built on a 45 nm process like the desktop Core 2 Duo and Xeon Wolfdale, featuring Intel 64 (Intel's x86-64 implementation), the XD bit, and Virtualization Technology. It is unclear whether the Demand-based switching power management is available on the L5238.[13] Wolfdale has 6 MB of shared L2 cache.

Model Speed (GHz) L2 cache FSB TDP
E5205 1.86 GHz 6 MB 1066 MT/s 65 W
L5238 2.66 GHz 1333 MT/s 35 W
L5240 3.00 GHz 40 W
X5260 3.33 GHz 80 W
X5270 3.50 GHz
X5272 3.40 GHz 1600 MT/s

7200-series "Tigerton"[edit]

The 7200 series, codenamed Tigerton (product code 80564) is an MP-capable processor, similar to the 7300 series, but, in contrast, there is a single dual-core die.[14][15][16][17]

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
E7210 2.40 GHz 4 MB 1066 MT/s 80 W
E7220 2.93 GHz

Quad-Core and Six-Core Xeon[edit]

3200-series "Kentsfield "[edit]

Intel released rebranded versions of its quad-core (2×2) Core 2 Quad processor as the Xeon 3200-series (product code 80562) on January 7, 2007.[18] The 2 × 2 "quad-core" (dual-die dual-core[19]) comprised two separate dual-core die next to each other in one CPU package. The models are the X3210, X3220 and X3230, running at 2.13 GHz, 2.4 GHz and 2.66 GHz, respectively.[20] Like the 3000-series, these models only support single-CPU operation and operate on a 1066 MT/s front-side bus. It is targeted at the "blade" market. The X3220 is also branded and sold as Core2 Quad Q6600, the X3230 as Q6700.

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
X3210 2.13 GHz 4 MB × 2 1066 MT/s 100/105 W
X3220 2.40 GHz
X3230 2.66 GHz 100 W

3300-series "Yorkfield"[edit]

Intel released relabeled versions of its quad-core Core 2 Quad Yorkfield Q9300, Q9400, Q9x50 and QX9770 processors as the Xeon 3300-series (product code 80569). This processor comprises two separate dual-core dies next to each other in one CPU package and manufactured in a 45 nm process. The models are the X3320, X3330, X3350, X3360, X3370 and X3380, being rebadged Q9300, Q9400, Q9450, Q9550, Q9650, QX9770, running at 2.50 GHz, 2.66 GHz, 2.66 GHz, 2.83 GHz, 3.0 GHz, and 3.16 GHz, respectively. The L2 cache is a unified 6 MB per die (except for the X3320 and X3330 with a smaller 3 MB L2 cache per die), and a front-side bus of 1333 MHz. All models feature Intel 64 (Intel's x86-64 implementation), the XD bit, and Virtualization Technology, as well as Demand-based switching.

The Yorkfield-CL (product code 80584) variant of these processors are X3323, X3353 and X3363. They have a reduced TDP of 80W and are made for single-CPU LGA 771 systems instead of LGA 775, which is used in all other Yorkfield processors. In all other respects, they are identical to their Yorkfield counterparts.

5300-series "Clovertown"[edit]

Clovertown
General information
Launched2006
Discontinuedpresent
CPUID code06Fx
Product code80563
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.60 GHz to 3.0 GHz
FSB speeds1066 MT/s to 1333 
Cache
L2 cache2×4 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP Server
Technology node65 nm
MicroarchitectureCore
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 4
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 53xx

A quad-core (2×2) successor of the Woodcrest for DP segment, consisting of two dual-core Woodcrest chips in one package similarly to the dual-core Pentium D branded CPUs (two single-core chips) or the quad-core Kentsfield. All Clovertowns use the LGA 771 package. The Clovertown has been usually implemented with two Woodcrest dies on a multi-chip module, with 8 MB of L2 cache (4 MB per die). Like Woodcrest, lower models use a 1066 MT/s FSB, and higher models use a 1333 MT/s FSB. Intel released Clovertown, product code 80563, on November 14, 2006[21] with models E5310, E5320, E5335, E5345, and X5355, ranging from 1.6 GHz to 2.66 GHz. All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), Intel VT. The E and X designations are borrowed from Intel's Core 2 model numbering scheme; an ending of -0 implies a 1066 MT/s FSB, and an ending of -5 implies a 1333 MT/s FSB.[20] All models have a TDP of 80 W with the exception of the X5355, which has a TDP of 120 W, and the X5365, which has a TDP of 150 W. A low-voltage version of Clovertown with a TDP of 50 W has a model numbers L5310, L5320 and L5335 (1.6 GHz, 1.86 GHz and 2.0 GHz respectively). The 3.0 GHz X5365 arrived in July 2007, and became available in the Apple Mac Pro[22] on April 4, 2007.[23][24] The X5365 performs up to around 38 GFLOPS in the LINPACK benchmark.[25]

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
E5310 1.60 GHz 4 MB × 2 1066 MT/s 80 W
L5310 50 W
E5320 1.86 GHz 80 W
L5320 50 W
E5335 2.00 GHz 1333 MT/s 80 W
L5335 50 W
E5345 2.33 GHz 80 W
X5355 2.66 GHz 120 W
X5365 3.00 GHz 150 W

5400-series "Harpertown"[edit]

Harpertown
General information
Launched2007
Discontinuedpresent
CPUID code1067x
Product code80574
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate2.0 GHz to 3.40 GHz
FSB speeds1066 MT/s to 1600 
Cache
L2 cache2 × 6 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP Server
Technology node45 nm
MicroarchitecturePenryn
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 4
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)

On November 11, 2007 Intel presented Yorkfield-based Xeons – called Harpertown (product code 80574) – to the public.[26] This family consists of dual die quad-core CPUs manufactured on a 45 nm process and featuring 1066 MHz, 1333 MHz, 1600 MHz front-side buses, with TDP rated from 40 W to 150 W depending on the model. These processors fit in the LGA 771 package. All models feature Intel 64 (Intel's x86-64 implementation), the XD bit, and Virtualization Technology. All except the E5405 and L5408 also feature Demand-based switching. The supplementary character in front of the model-number represents the thermal rating: an L depicts a TDP of 40 W or 50 W, an E depicts 80 W whereas an X is 120 W TDP or above. The speed of 3.00 GHz comes as four models, two models with 80 W TDP two other models with 120 W TDP with 1333 MHz or 1600 MHz front-side bus respectively. The fastest Harpertown is the X5492 whose TDP of 150 W is higher than those of the Prescott-based Xeon DP but having twice as many cores. (The X5482 is also sold under the name "Core 2 Extreme QX9775" for use in the Intel Skulltrail system.)

Intel 1.6 GT/s front-side bus Xeon processors will drop into the Intel 5400 (Seaburg) chipset whereas several mainboards featuring the Intel 5000/5200-chipset are enabled to run the processors with a 1333 MHz front-side bus speed. Seaburg features support for dual PCIe 2.0 x16 slots and up to 128 GB of memory.[27][28]

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
E5405 2.00 GHz 2 × 6 MB 1333 MT/s 80 W
L5408 2.13 GHz 1066 MT/s 40 W
E5410 2.33 GHz 1333 MT/s 80 W
L5410 50 W
E5420 2.50 GHz 80 W
L5420 50 W
E5430 2.66 GHz 80 W
L5430 50 W
E5440 2.83 GHz 80 W
X5450 3.00 GHz 120 W
E5450 80 W
X5460 3.16 GHz 120 W
X5470 3.33 GHz
E5462 2.80 GHz 1600 MT/s 80 W
E5472 3.00 GHz
X5472 120 W
X5482 3.20 GHz 150 W
X5492 3.40 GHz

7300-series "Tigerton QC"[edit]

Tigerton
General information
Launched2007
Discontinuedpresent
CPUID code06Fx
Product code80564
80565
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.60 GHz to 2.933 GHz
FSB speeds1066 MT/s
Cache
L2 cache2×2 or 2×4 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationMP Server
Technology node65 nm
MicroarchitectureCore
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 4
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 72xx
  • Xeon 73xx

The 7300 series, codenamed Tigerton QC (product code 80565) is a four-socket (packaged in Socket 604) and more capable quad-core processor, consisting of two dual core Core 2 architecture silicon chips on a single ceramic module, similar to Intel's Xeon 5300 series Clovertown processor modules.[29]

The 7300 series uses Intel's Caneland (Clarksboro) platform.

Intel claims the 7300 series Xeons offer more than twice the performance per watt as Intel's previous generation 7100 series. The 7300 series' Caneland chipset provides a point to point interface allowing the full front side bus bandwidth per processor.

The 7xxx series is aimed at the large server market, supporting configurations of up to 32 CPUs per host.

Model Speed L2 cache FSB TDP
E7310 1.60 GHz 2×2 MB 1066 MT/s 80 W
E7320 2.13 GHz
E7330 2.40 GHz 2×3 MB
E7340 2×4 MB
L7345 1.86 GHz 50 W
X7350 2.93 GHz 130 W

7400-series "Dunnington"[edit]

Dunnington
General information
Launched2008
Discontinuedpresent
CPUID code106D1
Product code80582
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate2.133 GHz to 2.66 GHz
FSB speeds1066 MT/s
Cache
L1 cache6 × 96 KB
L2 cache3 × 3 MB
L3 cache16 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationMP Server
Technology node45 nm
MicroarchitecturePenryn
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 6
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 74xx

Dunnington[30] – the last CPU of the Penryn generation and Intel's first multi-core (above two) die – features a single-die six- (or hexa-) core design with three unified 3 MB L2 caches (resembling three merged 45 nm dual-core Wolfdale-3M dies), and 96 kB L1 cache (Data) and 16 MB of L3 cache. It features a 1.07 GT/s FSB, fits into the Tigerton's mPGA604 socket, and is compatible with both the Intel Caneland and IBM X4 chipsets. These processors support DDR2-1066 (533 MHz), and have a maximum TDP below 130 W. They are intended for blades and other stacked computer systems. Availability was scheduled for the second half of 2008. It was followed shortly by the Nehalem microarchitecture. Total transistor count is 1.9 billion.[31]

Announced on September 15, 2008.[32]

Model Speed L3 cache FSB TDP Cores
E7420 2.13 GHz 8 MB 1066 MT/s 90 W 4
E7430 12 MB
E7440 2.40 GHz 16 MB
L7445 2.13 GHz 12 MB 50 W
E7450 2.40 GHz 90 W 6
L7455 2.13 GHz 65 W
X7460 2.66 GHz 16 MB 130 W

Nehalem-based Xeon[edit]

3400-series "Lynnfield"[edit]

Xeon 3400-series processors based on Lynnfield are designed for entry-level servers compared to Bloomfield, which is designed for uniprocessor workstations. Like Bloomfield, they are quad-core single-package processors based on the Nehalem microarchitecture, but were introduced almost a year later, in September 2009. The same processors are marketed for mid-range to high-end desktops systems as Core i5 and Core i7. They have two integrated memory channels as well as PCI Express and Direct Media Interface (DMI) links, but no QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) interface.

3400-series "Clarkdale"[edit]

At low end of the 3400-series is not a Lynnfield but a Clarkdale processor, which is also used in the Core i3-500 and Core i5-600 processors as well as the Celeron G1000 and G6000 Pentium series. A single model was released in March 2010, the Xeon L3406. Compared to all other Clarkdale-based products, this one does not support integrated graphics, but has a much lower thermal design power of just 30 W. Compared to the Lynnfield-based Xeon 3400 models, it only offers two cores.

W3500-series "Bloomfield"[edit]

Bloomfield (or Nehalem-E) is the codename for the successor to the Xeon 3300 series, is based on the Nehalem microarchitecture and uses the same 45 nm manufacturing methods as Intel's Penryn. The first processor released with the Nehalem architecture is the high-end desktop Core i7, which was released in November 2008. This is the server version for single CPU systems. This is a single-socket Intel Xeon processor designed for uniprocessor workstations.

The performance improvements over the previous Xeon 3300 series are based mainly on:

  • Integrated memory controller supporting three memory channels of DDR3 UDIMM (Unbuffered) or RDIMM (Registered)
  • A new point-to-point processor interconnect QuickPath, replacing the legacy front side bus
  • Simultaneous multithreading by multiple cores and hyper-threading (2× per core).
  • Turbo Boost, an overclocking technology that allows the CPU to run at a clock speed higher than the base speed as needed
Model Speed L3 cache QPI speed DDR3 speed TDP Cores Threads Turbo-Boost
W3503 2.40 GHz 4 MB 4.8 GT/s 1066 MT/s 130 W 2 No
W3505 2.53 GHz
W3520 2.66 GHz 8 MB 4 8 Yes
W3530 2.80 GHz
W3540 2.93 GHz
W3550 3.06 GHz
W3565 3.20 GHz
W3570 3.2 GHz 6.4 GT/s 1333 MT/s
W3580 3.33 GHz

5500-series "Gainestown"[edit]

Gainestown
General information
Launched2008
Discontinuedpresent
CPUID code106Ax
Product code80602
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.866 GHz to 3.333 GHz
Cache
L2 cache4×256 kB
L3 cache8 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP Server
Technology node45 nm
MicroarchitectureNehalem
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 4
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 55xx

Gainestown or Nehalem-EP (Efficient Performance), the successor to Wolfdale-DP, and Harpertown, is based on the Nehalem microarchitecture and uses the same 45 nm manufacturing methods. The first processor released with the Nehalem microarchitecture is the high-end desktop Core i7, which was released in November 2008. Server processors of the Xeon 55xx range were first supplied to testers in December 2008.[33]

The performance improvements over Wolfdale-DP and Harpertown processors are based mainly on:

  • Monolithic design for quad-core models
  • Integrated memory controller supporting three memory channels of DDR3 memory with ECC support.
  • A new point-to-point processor interconnect QuickPath, replacing the legacy front side bus. Gainestown has two QuickPath interfaces.
  • Hyper-threading (2× per core, starting from 5518), that was already present in NetBurst-based processors
  • Turbo Boost, an overclocking technology that allows the CPU to run at a clock speed higher than the base speed as needed
Model Speed L3 cache QPI speed DDR3 speed TDP Cores Threads Turbo-Boost
E5502 1.87 GHz 4 MB 4.8 GT/s 800 MT/s 80 W 2 No
E5503 2.00 GHz
E5504 4 4
E5506 2.13 GHz
L5506 60 W
E5507 2.26 GHz 80 W
L5518 2.13 GHz 8 MB 5.86 GT/s 1066 MT/s 60 W 8 Yes
E5520 2.26 GHz 80 W
L5520 60 W
E5530 2.40 GHz 80 W
L5530 60 W
E5540 2.53 GHz 80 W
X5550 2.66 GHz 6.4 GT/s 1333 MT/s 95 W
X5560 2.80 GHz
X5570 2.93 GHz
W5580 3.20 GHz 130 W
W5590 3.33 GHz

C3500/C5500-series "Jasper Forest"[edit]

Jasper Forest
General information
Launched2010
Discontinuedpresent
CPUID code106Ex
Product code80612
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.733 GHz to 2.40 GHz
Cache
L2 cache4×256 kB
L3 cache8 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationUP/DP Server
Technology node45 nm
MicroarchitectureNehalem
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 4
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon C35xx (UP)
  • Xeon C55xx (DP)
  • Celeron P1xxx (UP)

Jasper Forest is a Nehalem-based embedded processor with PCI Express connections on-die, core counts from 1 to 4 cores and power envelopes from 23 to 85 watts.[34]

The uni-processor version without QPI comes as LC35xx and EC35xx, while the dual-processor version is sold as LC55xx and EC55xx and uses QPI for communication between the processors. Both versions use a DMI link to communicate with the 3420 that is also used in the 3400-series Lynfield Xeon processors, but use an LGA 1366 package that is otherwise used for processors with QPI but no DMI or PCI Express links. The CPUID code of both Lynnfield and Jasper forest is 106Ex, i.e., family 6, model 30.

The Celeron P1053 belongs into the same family as the LC35xx series, but lacks some RAS features that are present in the Xeon version.

W3600/5600-series "Gulftown" & "Westmere-EP"[edit]

Gulftown and Westmere-EP, six-core 32 nm architecture Westmere-based processors, are the basis for the Xeon 36xx and 56xx series and the Core i7-980X. It launched in the first quarter of 2010. The 36xx-series follows the 35xx-series Bloomfield uni-processor model while the 56xx-series follows the 55xx-series Gainestown dual-processor model and both are socket compatible to their predecessors.

Model Speed L3 cache QPI speed DDR3 speed TDP Cores Threads Turbo-Boost
W3670 3.20 GHz 12 MB 4.8 GT/s 1066 MT/s 130 W 6 12 Yes
W3680 3.33 GHz 6.4 GT/s 1333 MT/s
W3690 3.46 GHz
E5603 1.60 GHz 4 MB 4.8 GT/s 800 MT/s 80 W 4 4 No
E5606 2.13 GHz 8 MB 1066 MT/s
E5607 2.26 GHz
L5609 1.86 GHz 12 MB 40 W
L5618 5.86 GT/s 8 Yes
E5620 2.40 GHz 80 W
L5630 2.13 GHz 40 W
E5630 2.53 GHz 80 W
L5638 2.00 GHz 1333 MT/s 60 W 6 12
L5639 2.13 GHz
L5640 2.26 GHz
E5640 2.66 GHz 1066 MT/s 80 W 4 8
L5645 2.40 GHz 1333 MT/s 60 W 6 12
E5645 80 W
E5649 2.53 GHz
X5650 2.66 GHz 6.4 GT/s 95 W
X5660 2.80 GHz
X5667 3.06 GHz 4 8
X5670 2.93 GHz 6 12
X5672 3.20 GHz 4 8
X5675 3.06 GHz 6 12
X5677 3.46 GHz 130 W 4 8
X5679 3.20 GHz 1066 MT/s 115 W 6 12
X5680 3.33 GHz 1333 MT/s 130 W
X5687 3.60 GHz 4 8
X5690 3.46 GHz 6 12
X5698 4.40 GHz 1066 MT/s 2 4 No

6500/7500-series "Beckton"[edit]

Beckton
Xeon E7530 (with and without the heat spreader)
General information
LaunchedMarch 30, 2010; 13 years ago (2010-03-30)
DiscontinuedQ4 2012
Marketed byIntel
Designed byIntel
Common manufacturer(s)
CPUID code206Ex
Product code80604
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate1.733 GHz to 2.667 GHz
QPI speeds6.4 GT/s
Cache
L2 cache256 KB per core
L3 cacheUp to 24 MB
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDP/MP Server
Technology node45 nm
MicroarchitectureNehalem
Instruction setx86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 4-8
Package(s)
Products, models, variants
Brand name(s)
  • Xeon 65xx (DP)
  • Xeon 75xx (MP)

Beckton or Nehalem-EX (Expandable server market) is a Nehalem-based processor with up to eight cores and uses buffering inside the chipset to support up to 16 standard DDR3 DIMMs per CPU socket without requiring the use of FB-DIMMs.[35] Unlike all previous Xeon MP processors, Nehalem-EX uses the new LGA 1567 (Socket LS) package, replacing the Socket 604 used in the previous models, up to Xeon 7400 "Dunnington". The 75xx models have four QuickPath interfaces, so it can be used in up-to eight-socket configurations, while the 65xx models are only for up to two sockets. Designed by the Digital Enterprise Group (DEG) Santa Clara and Hudson Design Teams, Beckton is manufactured on the P1266 (45 nm) technology. Its launch in March 2010 coincided with that of its direct competitor, AMD's Opteron 6xxx "Magny-Cours".[36]

Most models limit the number of cores and QPI links as well as the L3 cache size in order to get a broader range of products out of the single chip design.

E7-x8xx-series "Westmere-EX"[edit]

Westmere-EX is the follow-on to Beckton/Nehalem-EX and the first Intel processor to have ten CPU cores. The microarchitecture is the same as in the six-core Gulftown/Westmere-EP processor, but it uses the LGA 1567 package like Beckton to support up to eight sockets.

Starting with Westmere-EX, the naming scheme has changed once again, with "E7-xxxx" now signifying the high-end line of Xeon processors using a package that supports larger than two-CPU configurations, formerly the 7xxx series. Similarly, the 3xxx uniprocessor and 5xxx dual-processor series turned into E3-xxxx and E5-xxxx, respectively, for later processors.

Sandy Bridge- and Ivy Bridge-based Xeon[edit]

E3-12xx-series "Sandy Bridge"[edit]

The Xeon E3-12xx line of processors, introduced in April 2011, uses the Sandy Bridge chips that are also the base for the Core i3/i5/i7-2xxx and Celeron/Pentium Gxxx products using the same LGA 1155 socket, but with a different set of features disabled. Notably, the Xeon variants include support for ECC memory, VT-d and trusted execution that are not present on the consumer models, while only some Xeon E3 enable the integrated GPU that is present on Sandy Bridge. Like its Xeon 3400-series predecessors, the Xeon E3 only supports operation with a single CPU socket and is targeted at entry-level workstations and servers. The CPUID of this processor is 0206A7h, the product code is 80623.

E3-12xx v2-series "Ivy Bridge"[edit]

Xeon E3-12xx v2 is a minor update of the Sandy Bridge-based E3-12xx, using the 22 nm shrink, and providing slightly better performance while remaining backwards compatible. They were released in May 2012 and mirror the desktop Core i3/i5/i7-3xxx parts.

E5-14xx/24xx series "Sandy Bridge-EN" and E5-16xx/26xx/46xx-series "Sandy Bridge-EP"[edit]

The Xeon E5-16xx processors follow the previous Xeon 3500/3600-series products as the high-end single-socket platform, using the LGA 2011 package introduced with this processor. They share the Sandy Bridge-E platform with the single-socket Core i7-38xx and i7-39xx processors. The CPU chips have no integrated GPU but eight CPU cores, some of which are disabled in the entry-level products. The Xeon E5-26xx line has the same features but also enables multi-socket operation like the earlier Xeon 5000-series and Xeon 7000-series processors.

E5-14xx v2/24xx v2 series "Ivy Bridge-EN" and E5-16xx v2/26xx v2/46xx v2 series "Ivy Bridge-EP"[edit]

The Xeon E5 v2 line was an update, released in September 2013 to replace the original Xeon E5 processors with a variant based on the Ivy Bridge shrink. The maximum number of CPU cores was raised to 12 per processor module and the total L3 cache was upped to 30 MB.[37][38] The consumer version of the Xeon E5-16xx v2 processor is the Core i7-48xx and 49xx.

E7-28xx v2/48xx v2/88xx v2 series "Ivy Bridge-EX"[edit]

The Xeon E7 v2 line was an update, released in February 2014 to replace the original Xeon E7 processors with a variant based on the Ivy Bridge shrink. There was no Sandy Bridge version of these processors but rather a Westmere version.

Haswell-based Xeon[edit]

E3-12xx v3 series "Haswell-WS"[edit]

Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 CPU, sitting atop the inside part of its retail box that contains an OEM fan-cooled heatsink
Intel Xeon E3-1220 v3 CPU, pin side

Introduced in May 2013, Xeon E3-12xx v3 is the first Xeon series based on the Haswell microarchitecture. It uses the new LGA 1150 socket, which was introduced with the desktop Core i5/i7 Haswell processors, incompatible with the LGA 1155 that was used in Xeon E3 and E3 v2. As before, the main difference between the desktop and server versions is added support for ECC memory in the Xeon-branded parts. The main benefit of the new microarchitecture is better power efficiency.

E5-16xx/26xx v3 series "Haswell-EP"[edit]

Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 CPU; its retail box contains no OEM heatsink.

Introduced in September 2014, Xeon E5-16xx v3 and Xeon E5-26xx v3 series use the new LGA 2011-v3 socket, which is incompatible with the LGA 2011 socket used by earlier Xeon E5 and E5 v2 generations based on Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge microarchitectures. Some of the main benefits of this generation, compared to the previous one, are improved power efficiency, higher core counts, and bigger last level caches (LLCs). Following the already used nomenclature, Xeon E5-26xx v3 series allows dual-socket operation.

One of the new features of this generation is that Xeon E5 v3 models with more than 10 cores support cluster on die (COD) operation mode, allowing CPU's multiple columns of cores and LLC slices to be logically divided into what is presented as two non-uniform memory access (NUMA) CPUs to the operating system. By keeping data and instructions local to the "partition" of CPU which is processing them, thus decreasing the LLC access latency, COD brings performance improvements to NUMA-aware operating systems and applications.[39]

E7-48xx/88xx v3 series "Haswell-EX"[edit]

Introduced in May 2015, Xeon E7-48xx v3 and Xeon E7-88xx v3 series provide higher core counts, higher per-core performance and improved reliability features, compared to the previous Xeon E7 v2 generation. Following the usual SKU nomenclature, Xeon E7-48xx v3 and E7-88xx v3 series allow multi-socket operation, supporting up to quad- and eight-socket configurations, respectively.[40][41] These processors use the LGA 2011 (R1) socket.[42]

Xeon E7-48xx v3 and E7-88xx v3 series contain a quad-channel integrated memory controller (IMC), supporting both DDR3 and DDR4 LRDIMM or RDIMM memory modules through the use of Jordan Creek (DDR3) or Jordan Creek 2 (DDR4) memory buffer chips. Both versions of the memory buffer chip connect to the processor using version 2.0 of the Intel Scalable Memory Interconnect (SMI) interface, while supporting lockstep memory layouts for improved reliability. Up to four memory buffer chips can be connected to a processor, with up to six DIMM slots supported per each memory buffer chip.[40][41]

Xeon E7-48xx v3 and E7-88xx v3 series also contain functional bug-free support for Transactional Synchronization Extensions (TSX), which was disabled via a microcode update in August 2014 for Haswell-E, Haswell-WS (E3-12xx v3) and Haswell-EP (E5-16xx/26xx v3) models, due to a bug that was discovered in the TSX implementation.[40][41][43][44][45][46]

Broadwell-based Xeon[edit]

E3-12xx v4 series "Broadwell-H"[edit]

Introduced in June 2015, Xeon E3-12xx v4 is the first Xeon series based on the Broadwell microarchitecture. It uses LGA 1150 socket, which was introduced with the desktop Core i5/i7 Haswell processors. As before, the main difference between the desktop and server versions is added support for ECC memory in the Xeon-branded parts. The main benefit of the new microarchitecture is the new lithography process, which results in better power efficiency.

Skylake-based Xeon[edit]

E3-12xx v5 series "Skylake-S"[edit]

Introduced in October 2015, Xeon E3-12xx v5 is the first Xeon series based on the Skylake microarchitecture. It uses new LGA 1151 socket, which was introduced with the desktop Core i5/i7 Skylake processors. Although it uses the same socket as consumer processors, it is limited to the C200 server chipset series and will not work with consumer chipsets like Z170. As before, the main difference between the desktop and server versions is added support for ECC memory in the Xeon-branded parts.

1st generation Xeon Scalable "Skylake-SP"[edit]

Kaby Lake-based Xeon[edit]

E3-12xx v6 series[edit]

Introduced in January 2017, Xeon E3-12xx v6 is the first Xeon series based on the Kaby Lake microarchitecture. It uses the same LGA 1151 socket, which was introduced with the desktop Core i5/i7 Kaby Lake processors. As before, the main difference between the desktop and server versions is added support for ECC memory and improved energy efficiency in the Xeon-branded parts.

Coffee Lake-based Xeon[edit]

Coffee Lake-E (Server/Workstation)[edit]

Processor
branding
Model Cores

(Threads)

Base CPU
clock rate
Max. Turbo

clock rate

GPU max GPU
clock rate
L3
cache [note 1]
TDP Memory
support
Price
(USD)
Xeon E 2186G 6 (12) 3.8 GHz 4.7 GHz UHD P630 1.20 GHz 12 MB 95 W Up to 64 GB[note 2]
DDR4 2666
ECC memory
supported
$506
2176G 3.7 GHz 80 W $406
2174G 4 (8) 3.8 GHz 8 MB 71 W $370
2146G 6 (12) 3.5 GHz 4.5 GHz 12 MB 80 W $350
2144G 4 (8) 3.6 GHz 8 MB 71 W $306
2136 6 (12) 3.3 GHz N/A 12 MB 80 W $319
2134 4 (8) 3.5 GHz 8 MB 71 W $281
2126G 6 (6) 3.3 GHz UHD P630 1.20 GHz 12 MB 80 W $286
2124G 4 (4) 3.4 GHz 8 MB 71 W $245
2124 3.3 GHz 4.3 GHz N/A $217
2104G 3.2 GHz N/A UHD P630 1.20 GHz 65 W $193

Coffee Lake-E Refresh (Server/Workstation)[edit]

Processor
branding
Model Cores

(Threads)

Base CPU
clock rate
Max. Turbo

clock rate

GPU max GPU
clock rate
L3
cache [note 3]
TDP Memory
support
Price
(USD)
Xeon E 2288G 8 (16) 3.7 GHz 5.0 GHz UHD P630 1.20 GHz 16 MiB 95 W Up to 128 GB[note 4]
DDR4 2666
ECC memory
supported
$539
2286G 6 (12) 4.0 GHz 4.9 GHz 12 MiB $450
2278G 8 (16) 3.4 GHz 5.0 GHz 16 MiB 80 W $494
2276G 6 (12) 3.8 GHz 4.9 GHz 12 MiB $362
2274G 4 (8) 4.0 GHz 8 MiB 83 W $328
2246G 6 (12) 3.6 GHz 4.8 GHz 12 MiB 80 W $311
2244G 4 (8) 3.8 GHz 8 MiB 71 W $272
2236 6 (12) 3.4 GHz N/A 12 MiB 80 W $284
2234 4 (8) 3.6 GHz 8 MiB 71 W $250
2226G 6 (6) 3.4 GHz 4.7 GHz UHD P630 1.20 GHz 12 MiB 80 W $255
2224G 4 (4) 3.5 GHz 8 MiB 71 W $213
2224 3.4 GHz 4.6 GHz N/A $193

Comet Lake-based Xeon[edit]

Cascade Lake-based Xeon[edit]

Variants[edit]

  • Server: Cascade Lake-SP (Scalable Performance; meaning multi physical processors configuration), Cascade Lake-AP (Advanced Performance)
  • Workstation: Cascade Lake-W
  • Enthusiast: Cascade Lake-X

Cooper Lake-based Xeon[edit]

The 3rd generation Xeon SP processors for 4S and 8S.

Ice Lake-based Xeon[edit]

The 3rd generation Xeon SP processors for WS, 1S and 2S.

Rocket Lake-based Xeon[edit]

Sapphire Rapids-based Xeon[edit]

Introduced in 2023, the 4th generation Xeon Scalable processors (Sapphire Rapids-SP and Sapphire Rapids-HBM) and Xeon W-2400 and W-3400 series (Sapphire Rapids-WS) provide large performance enhancements over the prior generation.

Features[edit]

CPU[edit]

  • Up to 60 Golden Cove CPU cores per package
  • AVX512-FP16
  • TSX Suspend Load Address Tracking (TSXLDTRK)
  • Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX)
  • Trust Domain Extensions (TDX), a collection of technologies to help deploy hardware-isolated virtual machines (VMs) called trust domains (TDs)
  • In-Field Scan (IFS), a technology that allows for testing the processor for potential hardware faults without taking it completely offline
  • Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA), allows for speeding up data copy and transformation between different kinds of storage
  • QuickAssist Technology (QAT), allows for improved performance of compression and encryption tasks
  • Dynamic Load Balancer (DLB), allows for offloading tasks of load balancing, packet prioritization and queue management
  • In-Memory Analytics Accelerator (IAA), allows accelerating in-memory databases and big data analytics

Not all accelerators are available in all processor models. Some accelerators are available under the Intel On Demand program, also known as Software Defined Silicon (SDSi), where a license is required to activate a given accelerator that is physically present in the processor. The license can be obtained as a one-time purchase or as a paid subscription. Activating the license requires support in the operating system. A driver with the necessary support was added in Linux kernel version 6.2.

I/O[edit]

Emerald Rapids-based Xeon[edit]

Supercomputers[edit]

By 2013 Xeon processors were ubiquitous in supercomputers—more than 80% of the TOP500 machines in 2013 used them. For the fastest machines, much of the performance comes from compute accelerators; Intel's entry into that market was the Xeon Phi, the first machines using it appeared in June 2012 and by June 2013 it was used in the fastest computer in the world.

  • The first Xeon-based machines in the top-10 appeared in November 2002, two clusters at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and at NOAA.
  • The first Xeon-based machine to be in the first place of the TOP500 was the Chinese Tianhe-IA in November 2010, which used a mixed Xeon-Nvidia GPU configuration; it was overtaken by the Japanese K computer in 2012, but the Tianhe-2 system using 12-core Xeon E5-2692 processors and Xeon Phi cards occupied the first place in both TOP500 lists of 2013.
  • The SuperMUC system, using eight-core Xeon E5-2680 processors but no accelerator cards, managed fourth place in June 2012 and had dropped to tenth by November 2013
  • Xeon processor-based systems are among the top 20 fastest systems by memory bandwidth as measured by the STREAM benchmark.[47]
  • An Intel Xeon virtual SMP system using ScaleMP's Versatile SMP (vSMP) architecture with 128 cores and 1 TiB RAM.[48] This system aggregates 16 Stoakley platform (Seaburg chipset) systems with total of 32 Harpertown processors.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ MiB = MB = 1024 kB
  2. ^ 128 GB after BIOS update
  3. ^ MiB = MB = 1024 kB
  4. ^ GB = 1024 MB = 1024^2 kB = 1024^3 B

References[edit]

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External links[edit]