Xeon Explained

Xeon
Soldby:Intel
Designfirm:Intel
Manuf1:Intel
Manuf2:TSMC
Slowest:400
Slow-Unit:MHz
Fastest:5.3
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:100
Fsb-Fastest:1.6
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Fsb-Fast-Unit:GT/s
Qpi-Slowest:4.8
Qpi-Fastest:24
Qpi-Slow-Unit:GT/s
Qpi-Fast-Unit:GT/s
Dmi-Slowest:2.0
Dmi-Fastest:16
Dmi-Slow-Unit:GT/s
Dmi-Fast-Unit:GT/s
Data-Width:Up to 64 bits
Address-Width:Up to 64 bits
Virtual-Width:Up to 57 bits
L1cache:Up to 80 KB per core
L2cache:Up to 2 MB per core
L3cache:Up to 320 MB per socket
L4cache:Up to 64GB HBM2e[1]
Size-From:250 nm
Size-To:Intel 3 and TSMC N5
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Instructions:MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AVX-512, AVX-VNNI, AMX, TSX, AES-NI, CLMUL, RDRAND
Extensions:SGX, SHA, TXT, VT-x, VT-d
Numcores:Up to 64 cores per socket (up to 128 threads per socket)
Amountmemory:Up to 4 TB and 8 channels per socket
Memory1:Up to DDR5-5600 with ECC support
Gpu:Intel Graphics Technology (some models only)
Co-Processor:Xeon Phi (2010-2020)
Variant:Itanium (2001-2020)
Predecessor:Pentium Pro
Support Status:Supported

Xeon (;) 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.

Branding

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 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.

Xeon Scalable

The Xeon Scalable brand for high-performance server was introduced in May 2017 with the Skylake-based Xeon Platinum 8100 series. Xeon Scalable processors range from dual socket to 8 socket support. Within the Xeon Scalable brand, there exists the hierarchy of Xeon Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

In April 2024, Intel announced at its Vision event that the Xeon Scalable brand would be retired, beginning with 6th generation Xeon processors codenamed Sierra Forest and Granite Rapids that will now be referred to as "Xeon 6" processors.[2] This change brings greater emphasis on processor generation numbers.[3] The Xeon 6 processor is used by companies like Supermicro, who included support for the processor in its X14 server systems.[4]

Xeon D

Xeon D is targeted towards microserver and edge computing markets with lower power consumption and integrated I/O blocks such as network interface controllers. This allows Xeon D processors to function as SoCs that do not require a separate southbridge PCH.[5] It was announced in 2014 and the first Xeon D processors were released in March 2015. Xeon D processors come in an soldered BGA package rather than in a socketable form factor. Xeon D was introduced to compete with emerging ARM hyperscale server solutions that offered greater multi-threaded performance and power effiency.[6]

Xeon W

Xeon W branding is used for Xeon workstation processors. It was first introduced in August 2017 with the release of the Skylake-based Xeon W-2100 series workstation processors. With Sapphire Rapids-WS workstation processors that launched in March 2023, Intel introduced tiers within Xeon W. Xeon w3, w5, w7 and w9 was designed to emulate the Core i3, i5, i7 and i9 branding that Intel had been using for its desktop processors.

Overview

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)
important;">Node Code named
  1. of
    Cores
Release
date
Code named
  1. of
    Cores
Release
date
important;">250 nmDrake 1 Jun 1998
Tanner 1 Mar 1999
important;">180 nmCascades (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
important;">130 nmPrestonia 1 Feb 2002
Gallatin DP 1 Jul 2003 Gallatin 1 Nov 2002
important;">90 nmNocona 1 Jun 2004 Cranford 1 Mar 2005
Potomac 1 Mar 2005
Irwindale 1 Feb 2005
Paxville DP 2 Oct 2005 Paxville 2 Nov 2005
important;">65 nmDempsey 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
important;">45 nmWolfdale 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
important;">32 nmWestmere-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
important;">22 nmIvy 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
important;">14 nmBroadwell (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
4-28 Apr 2019 4-28 Apr 2019
Cooper Lake-SP 8-28 Jun 2020
important;">10 nmIce Lake-SP/W 8-40 Apr 2021
Ice Lake-D 2-20 Feb 2022
important;">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

Pentium II Xeon

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 mm) die fabricated in a 0.35 μm four-layer metal CMOS process and packaged in a cavity-down wire-bonded land grid array (LGA).[7] 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

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

Xeon (DP) and Xeon MP (32-bit)

Foster

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 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. Combined with the need to use expensive Rambus Dynamic RAM, the Foster's sales were somewhat unimpressive.

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

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

Gallatin
Produced-Start:March 2003
Produced-End:2004
Slowest:1.50
Fastest:3.20
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:400
Fsb-Fastest:533
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Fsb-Fast-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:130 nm
Pack1:Socket 603 Socket 604
Code:80537
Cpuid:0F7x
Brand1:Xeon
Arch:x86-16, IA-32
Microarch:NetBurst
Numcores:1
L1cache:8 kB + 12 kuOps trace cache
L2cache:512 kB
L3cache:1 MB, 2 MB, 4 MB
Application:DP and MP Server

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)

Nocona and Irwindale

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

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

"Paxville DP"

Paxville
Produced-Start:October 2005
Produced-End:August 2008
Slowest:2.667
Fastest:3.0
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:667
Fsb-Fastest:800
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Fsb-Fast-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:90 nm
Pack1:Socket 604
Code:80551, 80560
Cpuid:0F48
Brand1:Xeon
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:NetBurst
Numcores:2
L2cache:2×2 MB
Application:DP Server, MP Server

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"

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.

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
70202.66 GHz2 × 1 MB667 MT/s165 W
70302.80 GHz800 MT/s
70403.00 GHz2 × 2 MB667 MT/s
7041800 MT/s

7100-series "Tulsa"

Tulsa
Produced-Start:August 2006
Produced-End:August 2008
Slowest:2.50
Fastest:3.50
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:667
Fsb-Fastest:800
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Fsb-Fast-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:65 nm
Pack1:Socket 604
Code:80550
Cpuid:0F68
Brand1:Xeon 71xx
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:NetBurst
Numcores:2
L2cache:2×1 MB
L3cache:16 MB
Application:MP Server

Released on August 29, 2006,[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]

ModelSpeedL2 cacheL3 cacheFSBTDP
7110N2.50 GHz2 MB4 MB667 MT/s95 W
7110M2.60 GHz800 MT/s
7120N3.00 GHz667 MT/s
7120M800 MT/s
7130N3.16 GHz8 MB667 MT/s150 W
7130M3.20 GHz800 MT/s
7140N3.33 GHz16 MB667 MT/s
7140M3.40 GHz800 MT/s
7150N3.50 GHz667 MT/s

5000-series "Dempsey"

Dempsey
Produced-Start:May 2006
Produced-End:August 2008
Slowest:2.50
Fastest:3.73
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:667
Fsb-Fastest:1066
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Fsb-Fast-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:65nm
Pack1:LGA 771
Brand1:Xeon 50xx
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:NetBurst
Numcores:2
L2cache:4 MB
Application:DP Server

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.

ModelSpeed (GHz)L2 cacheFSBTDP
50202.50 GHz2 × 2 MB667 MT/s95 W
50302.66 GHz
50402.83 GHz
50503.00 GHz
50603.20 GHz1.07 GT/s130 W
506395 W
50703.46 GHz130 W
50803.73 GHz

Pentium M (Yonah) based Xeon

LV (ULV), "Sossaman"

Sossaman
Produced-Start:2006
Produced-End:2008
Slowest:1.667
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fastest:2.167
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:667
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Fsb-Fast-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:65 nm
Pack1:Socket M
Code:80539
Cpuid:06Ex
Brand1:Xeon
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Enhanced Pentium M
Numcores:2
L2cache:2 MB
Application:DP Server

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).[11] 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.

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
ULV 1.661.66 GHz2 MB667 MT/s15 W
LV 1.6631 W
LV 2.002.00 GHz
LV 2.162.16 GHz

Core-based Xeon

Dual-Core

3000-series "Conroe"

See main article: Conroe (microprocessor). The 3000 series, codenamed Conroe (product code 80557) dual-core Xeon (branded) CPU,[12] 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.[13]

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
30401.86 GHz2 MB1066 MT/s65 W
30502.13 GHz
3055*4 MB
30602.4 GHz
30652.33 GHz1333 MT/s
30702.66 GHz1066 MT/s
30751333 MT/s
3080*2.93 GHz1066 MT/s
30853.00 GHz1333 MT/s

3100-series "Wolfdale"

See main article: Wolfdale (microprocessor).

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.

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
E31103.00 GHz6 MB1333 MT/s65 W
L311045 W
E31203.16 GHz65 W

5100-series "Woodcrest"

Woodcrest
Slowest:1.60
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fastest:3.0
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:1066
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Fsb-Fastest:1333
Fsb-Fast-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:65nm
Soldby:Intel
Designfirm:Intel
Manuf1:Intel
Sock1:LGA 771
Code:80556
Cpuid:06Fx
Brand1:Xeon 51xx
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Core/Merom
Numcores:2
L1cache:128 KB (64 KB (32 KB instruction + 32 KB data) x 2)
L2cache:4MB
Application:DP Server
Predecessor:Dempsey
Successor:Wolfdale-DP
Variant1:Clovertown
Variant2:Tigerton

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 1333MT/s FSB, except for the 5110 and 5120, which have a 1066MT/s FSB. The fastest processor (5160) operates at 3.0GHz. All Woodcrest processors use the LGA 771 (Socket J) socket and all except two models have a TDP of 65W. The 5160 has a TDP of 80W and the 5148LV (2.33GHz) has a TDP of 40W. The previous generation Xeons had a TDP of 130W. 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.

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
51101.60 GHz4 MB1066 MT/s65 W
51201.83 GHz
512840 W
51302.0 GHz1333 MT/s65 W
51382.13 GHz1066 MT/s35 W
51402.33 GHz1333 MT/s65 W
514840 W
51502.66 GHz65 W
51603.00 GHz80 W

5200-series "Wolfdale-DP"

Wolfdale-DP
Produced-Start:2007
Produced-End:present
Slowest:1.866
Fastest:3.50
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:1066
Fsb-Fastest:1600
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Fsb-Fast-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:45 nm
Pack1:LGA 771
Code:80573
Cpuid:1067x
Brand1:Xeon 52xx
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Penryn
Numcores:2
L2cache:6 MB
Application:DP Server

On November 11, 2007, Intel released the dual-core CPU (Xeon branded 5200 series) codenamed Wolfdale-DP (product code 80573).[15] 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.[16] Wolfdale has 6 MB of shared L2 cache.

ModelSpeed (GHz)L2 cacheFSBTDP
E52051.86 GHz6 MB1066 MT/s65 W
L52382.66 GHz1333 MT/s35 W
L52403.00 GHz40 W
X52603.33 GHz80 W
X52703.50 GHz
X52723.40 GHz1600 MT/s

7200-series "Tigerton"

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.[17] [18] [19] [20]

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
E72102.40 GHz4 MB1066 MT/s80 W
E72202.93 GHz

Quad-Core and Six-Core Xeon

3200-series "Kentsfield "

See main article: Kentsfield (microprocessor). 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.[21] The 2 × 2 "quad-core" (dual-die dual-core[22]) 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.[23] 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.

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
X32102.13 GHz4 MB × 2 1066 MT/s100/105 W
X32202.40 GHz
X32302.66 GHz100 W

3300-series "Yorkfield"

See main article: Yorkfield (microprocessor). 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"

Clovertown
Produced-Start:2006
Produced-End:present
Slowest:1.60
Fastest:3.0
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:1066
Fsb-Fastest:1333
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:65 nm
Pack1:LGA 771
Code:80563
Cpuid:06Fx
Brand1:Xeon 53xx
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Core
Numcores:4
L2cache:2×4 MB
Application:DP Server

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[24] 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.[23] 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[25] on April 4, 2007.[26] [27] The X5365 performs up to around 38 GFLOPS in the LINPACK benchmark.[28]

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
E53101.60 GHz4 MB × 21066 MT/s80 W
L531050 W
E53201.86 GHz80 W
L532050 W
E53352.00 GHz1333 MT/s80 W
L533550 W
E53452.33 GHz80 W
X53552.66 GHz120 W
X53653.00 GHz150 W

5400-series "Harpertown"

Harpertown
Produced-Start:2007
Produced-End:present
Slowest:2.0
Fastest:3.40
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:1066
Fsb-Fastest:1600
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:45 nm
Pack1:LGA 771
Code:80574
Cpuid:1067x
Brand1:Xeon 54xx
Brand2:Core 2 Quad QX9775
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Penryn
Numcores:4
L2cache:2 × 6 MB
Application:DP Server

On November 11, 2007 Intel presented Yorkfield-based Xeons – called Harpertown (product code 80574) – to the public.[29] 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 slots and up to 128 GB of memory.[30] [31]

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
E54052.00 GHz2 × 6 MB1333 MT/s80 W
L54082.13 GHz1066 MT/s40 W
E54102.33 GHz1333 MT/s80 W
L541050 W
E54202.50 GHz80 W
L542050 W
E54302.66 GHz80 W
L543050 W
E54402.83 GHz80 W
X54503.00 GHz120 W
E545080 W
X54603.16 GHz120 W
X54703.33 GHz
E54622.80 GHz1600 MT/s80 W
E54723.00 GHz
X5472120 W
X54823.20 GHz150 W
X54923.40 GHz

7300-series "Tigerton QC"

Tigerton
Produced-Start:2007
Produced-End:present
Slowest:1.60
Fastest:2.933
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:1066
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:65 nm
Pack1:mPGA604
Code:80564
80565
Cpuid:06Fx
Brand1:Xeon 72xx
Brand2:Xeon 73xx
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Core
Numcores:4
L2cache:2×2 or 2×4 MB
Application:MP Server

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.[32]

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.

ModelSpeedL2 cacheFSBTDP
E73101.60 GHz2×2 MB1066 MT/s80 W
E73202.13 GHz
E73302.40 GHz2×3 MB
E73402×4 MB
L73451.86 GHz50 W
X73502.93 GHz130 W

7400-series "Dunnington"

Dunnington
Produced-Start:2008
Produced-End:present
Slowest:2.133
Fastest:2.66
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Fsb-Slowest:1066
Fsb-Slow-Unit:MT/s
Size-From:45 nm
Pack1:mPGA604
Code:80582
Cpuid:106D1
Brand1:Xeon 74xx
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Penryn
Numcores:6
L1cache:6 × 96 KB
L2cache:3 × 3 MB
L3cache:16 MB
Application:MP Server

Dunnington[33] – 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.[34]

Announced on September 15, 2008.[35]

ModelSpeedL3 cacheFSBTDPCores
E74202.13 GHz8 MB1066 MT/s90 W4
E743012 MB
E74402.40 GHz16 MB
L74452.13 GHz12 MB50 W
E74502.40 GHz90 W6
L74552.13 GHz65 W
X74602.66 GHz16 MB130 W

Nehalem-based Xeon

3400-series "Lynnfield"

See main article: Lynnfield (microprocessor).

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"

See main article: Clarkdale (microprocessor). 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"

See main article: Bloomfield (microprocessor). 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:

ModelSpeedL3 cacheQPI speedDDR3 speedTDPCoresThreadsTurbo-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"

Gainestown
Produced-Start:2008
Produced-End:present
Slowest:1.866
Fastest:3.333
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Size-From:45 nm
Pack1:LGA 1366
Brand1:Xeon 55xx
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Nehalem
Cpuid:106Ax
Code:80602
Numcores:4
L2cache:4×256 kB
L3cache:8 MB
Application:DP Server

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.[36]

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

ModelSpeedL3 cacheQPI speedDDR3 speedTDPCoresThreadsTurbo-Boost
E55021.87 GHz4 MB4.8 GT/s800 MT/s80 W2No
E55032.00 GHz
E550444
E55062.13 GHz
L550660 W
E55072.26 GHz80 W
L55182.13 GHz8 MB5.86 GT/s1066 MT/s60 W8Yes
E55202.26 GHz80 W
L552060 W
E55302.40 GHz80 W
L553060 W
E55402.53 GHz80 W
X55502.66 GHz6.4 GT/s1333 MT/s95 W
X55602.80 GHz
X55702.93 GHz
W55803.20 GHz130 W
W55903.33 GHz

C3500/C5500-series "Jasper Forest"

Jasper Forest
Produced-Start:2010
Produced-End:present
Slowest:1.733
Fastest:2.40
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fast-Unit:GHz
Size-From:45 nm
Pack1:LGA 1366
Brand1:Xeon C35xx (UP)
Brand2:Xeon C55xx (DP)
Brand3:Celeron P1xxx (UP)
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Nehalem
Cpuid:106Ex
Code:80612
Numcores:4
L2cache:4×256 kB
L3cache:8 MB
Application:UP/DP Server

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.[37]

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"

See main article: Gulftown (microprocessor).

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.

ModelSpeedL3 cacheQPI speedDDR3 speedTDPCoresThreadsTurbo-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 GHz1066 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"

Beckton
Produced-End:Q4 2012
Slowest:1.733
Slow-Unit:GHz
Fastest:2.667
Fast-Unit:GHz
Size-From:45 nm
Soldby:Intel
Designfirm:Intel
Manuf1:Intel
Pack1:LGA 1567
Brand1:Xeon 65xx (DP)
Brand2:Xeon 75xx (MP)
Arch:x86-16, IA-32, x86-64
Microarch:Nehalem
Cpuid:206Ex
Code:80604
Numcores:4-8
L2cache:256KB per core
L3cache:Up to 24MB
Application:DP/MP Server
Qpi-Slowest:6.4
Qpi-Slow-Unit:GT/s

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.[38] 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".[39]

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"

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

E3-12xx-series "Sandy Bridge"

See main article: Sandy Bridge.

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"

See main article: Ivy Bridge (microarchitecture). 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"

See main article: Sandy Bridge-E.

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"

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.[40] [41] 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"

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

E3-12xx v3 series "Haswell-WS"

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"

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.[42]

E7-48xx/88xx v3 series "Haswell-EX"

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.[43] [44] These processors use the LGA 2011 (R1) socket.[45]

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.

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.[46] [47] [48] [49]

Broadwell-based Xeon

E3-12xx v4 series "Broadwell-H"

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

E3-12xx v5 series "Skylake-S"

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"

Kaby Lake-based Xeon

See main article: Kaby Lake.

E3-12xx v6 series

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

See main article: Coffee Lake.

Coffee Lake-E (Server/Workstation)

Processor
branding
ModelCores(Threads)Base CPU
clock rate
Max. Turboclock rateGPUmax GPU
clock rate
L3
cache [50]
TDPMemory
support
Price
(USD)
Xeon E2186G6 (12)3.8 GHz4.7 GHzUHD P6301.20 GHz12 MB95 WUp to 64 GB[51]
DDR4 2666
ECC memory
supported
$506
2176G3.7 GHz80 W$406
2174G4 (8)3.8 GHz8 MB71 W$370
2146G6 (12)3.5 GHz4.5 GHz12 MB80 W$350
2144G4 (8)3.6 GHz8 MB71 W$306
21366 (12)3.3 GHzN/A12 MB80 W$319
21344 (8)3.5 GHz8 MB71 W$281
2126G6 (6)3.3 GHzUHD P6301.20 GHz12 MB80 W$286
2124G4 (4)3.4 GHz8 MB71 W$245
21243.3 GHz4.3 GHzN/A$217
2104G3.2 GHzN/AUHD P6301.20 GHz65 W$193

Coffee Lake-E Refresh (Server/Workstation)

Processor
branding
ModelCores(Threads)Base CPU
clock rate
Max. Turboclock rateGPUmax GPU
clock rate
L3
cache [52]
TDPMemory
support
Price
(USD)
Xeon E2288G8 (16)3.7 GHz5.0 GHzUHD P6301.20 GHz16 MiB95 WUp to 128 GB[53]
DDR4 2666
ECC memory
supported
$539
2286G6 (12)4.0 GHz4.9 GHz12 MiB$450
2278G8 (16)3.4 GHz5.0 GHz16 MiB80 W$494
2276G6 (12)3.8 GHz4.9 GHz12 MiB$362
2274G4 (8)4.0 GHz8 MiB83 W$328
2246G6 (12)3.6 GHz4.8 GHz12 MiB80 W$311
2244G4 (8)3.8 GHz8 MiB71 W$272
22366 (12)3.4 GHzN/A12 MiB80 W$284
22344 (8)3.6 GHz8 MiB71 W$250
2226G6 (6)3.4 GHz4.7 GHzUHD P6301.20 GHz12 MiB80 W$255
2224G4 (4)3.5 GHz8 MiB71 W$213
22243.4 GHz4.6 GHzN/A$193

Comet Lake-based Xeon

See main article: Comet Lake.

Cascade Lake-based Xeon

See main article: List of Intel Cascade Lake-based Xeon microprocessors.

Variants

Cooper Lake-based Xeon

See main article: Cooper Lake (microprocessor). The 3rd generation Xeon SP processors for 4S and 8S.

Ice Lake-based Xeon

See main article: Ice Lake (microprocessor). The 3rd generation Xeon SP processors for WS, 1S and 2S.

Rocket Lake-based Xeon

See main article: Rocket Lake.

Sapphire Rapids-based Xeon

See main article: Sapphire Rapids (microprocessor). 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

CPU

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

Emerald Rapids-based Xeon

See main article: Emerald Rapids.

Supercomputers

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.

See also

External links

Notes and References

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  2. Web site: Chiapetta . Marco . April 9, 2024 . Intel Unveils Powerful, Efficient Gaudi 3 AI Accelerator And New Xeon 6 Processors At Vision 2024 . Forbes . en-US . April 22, 2024.
  3. Web site: Bonshor . Gavin . April 9, 2024 . Intel Unveils New Branding For 6th Generation Xeon Processors: Intel Xeon 6 . AnandTech . en-US . April 22, 2024.
  4. Web site: Takahashi . Dean . Supermicro unveils X14 server family with Intel Xeon 6 processors .
  5. Web site: Intel's Xeon brand makes its first foray into SoC space with Xeon D . Ars Technica . en-US . March 10, 2015 . April 22, 2024.
  6. News: Prickett Morgan . Timothy . March 9, 2015 . Intel Crafts Broadwell Xeon D For Hyperscale . The Next Platform . en-US . April 22, 2024.
  7. Bateman . B. . A 450MHz 512 kB Second-Level Cache with a 3.6GB/s Data Bandwidth . . February 1998 . 358–359 . 10.1109/ISSCC.1998.672528 . 0-7803-4344-1 . 21384417 . etal.
  8. New High-End Intel Server Processors Expand Performance Leadership. Intel. August 29, 2006.
  9. Web site: Intel Xeon Processor 7100 Series Specification Update. March 2010. Intel.
  10. Web site: Intel prices up Woodcrest, Tulsa server chips. The Inquirer. May 26, 2006. unfit. https://web.archive.org/web/20070103213811/http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=31990. January 3, 2007.
  11. Web site: Intel drops 32-bit dual-core LV processors . TG Daily . July 31, 2007.
  12. Web site: Huynh . Anh Tuan . July 19, 2006 . Intel Adds Low End Xeons to Roadmap . DailyTech . https://web.archive.org/web/20160402063126/http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3381 . April 2, 2016 . dead.
  13. Web site: Intel Readies New Xeons and Price Cuts . WinBeta.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034447/http://winbeta.org/comments.php?id=6530&catid=1 . September 27, 2007 . dead.
  14. Web site: ARK - Your Source for Intel® Product Information. Intel® ARK (Product Specs).
  15. Web site: Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 5200 Series. August 2008. Intel.
  16. Intel Ships New Processors for Embedded, Communications and Storage Markets Based on New Transistors, Manufacturing . Santa Clara, CA . Intel . en-US . February 27, 2008 . December 10, 2022.
  17. Web site: Intel bares Tigerton. The Register.
  18. Web site: Intel previews quad-core Xeon "Tigerton" server processor. Donald Melanson. AOL. Engadget. October 23, 2006 .
  19. Web site: Rap meets tech at IDF yo . theinquirer.net . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20070419030713/http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=38970 . April 19, 2007 .
  20. Web site: Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 7200 Series and Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 7300 Series Datasheet . September 2007 . Intel . September 19, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071025183559/http://download.intel.com/design/xeon/datashts/318080.pdf . October 25, 2007 .
  21. Web site: Huynh . Anh Tuan . January 7, 2007 . Intel Hard-Launches Three New Quad-core Processors . DailyTech . https://web.archive.org/web/20160405061432/http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5595 . April 5, 2016 . dead.
  22. Web site: Intel Clovertowns step up, reduce power . TG Daily . September 5, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070911222341/http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/33708/135/ . September 11, 2007 . dmy-all .
  23. Web site: Huynh . Anh Tuan . September 21, 2006 . Quad-core Xeon Details Unveiled . DailyTech . https://web.archive.org/web/20171216175126/http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4253 . December 16, 2017 . dead.
  24. Intel Ignites Quad-Core Era . Intel.
  25. Web site: Apple - Mac Pro - The fastest, most powerful Mac ever. . https://web.archive.org/web/20130602111641/http://www.apple.com/macpro/ . 2013-06-02 . dead.
  26. Web site: Intel CEO announces Core 2 Quad . Wolfgang . Gruener . Humphrey . Cheung . September 26, 2006 . TG Daily . https://web.archive.org/web/20061026105909/http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/09/26/intel_core_2_quad_announcement/ . 26 October 2006 . dead.
  27. Web site: Intel Readies New Xeons and Price Cuts . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160612081525/http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+Readies+New+Xeons+and+Price+Cuts/article6493.htm . June 12, 2016 . dead.
  28. Web site: Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2600 v4 Family World Record.
  29. Web site: Quad-Core Intel Xeon Processor 5400 Series. August 2008. Intel.
  30. Web site: Intel Readies 1600 MHz Front-Side Bus Xeons . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160401180832/http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+Readies+1600+MHz+FrontSide+Bus+Xeons/article8656.htm . April 1, 2016 . dead.
  31. Web site: Intel Xeons Coming With 1600MHz FSB . TrustedReviews.
  32. Intel Launches First Industry-Standard Quad-Core Products for High-End, Multi-Processor Servers . Santa Clara, CA . Intel . en-US . September 5, 2007 . November 13, 2022.
  33. News: Theo . Valich . Intel six-core coming in 2008 . February 25, 2008 . Tigervision Media . TG Daily . February 26, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080227234318/http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/36198/135/ . February 27, 2008.
  34. Web site: Prickett Morgan . Timothy . September 15, 200. Chipzilla unveils six-core 'Dunnington' Xeons . The Register . en-US . December 10, 2022.
  35. Web site: Intel® Xeon® Processor E7 Family . Intel . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20081230170821/http://www.intel.com/products/processor/xeon7000/index.htm?iid=servproc+body_xeon7400subtitle . December 30, 2008 . dead.
  36. Web site: De Gelas . Johan . December 16, 2008 . Intel Xeon 5570: Smashing SAP records . AnandTech . en-US . December 10, 2022.
  37. Web site: Intel demos Moorestown, embeds Nehalem. The Register.
  38. Web site: Shimpi . Anand Lal . May 27, 2009 . Nehalem-EX: 2.3 billion transistors, eight cores, one die . AnandTech . en-US . December 10, 2022.
  39. Web site: Novakovic . Nebojsa . February 12, 2009 . Intel's next bunch of fun CPUs moves to 2010 . The Inquirer . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20090304215925/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/opinion/976/1050976/intel-bunch-fun-cpus-moves-2010 . March 4, 2009.
  40. News: Prickett Morgan . Timothy . September 10, 2013 . Intel carves up Xeon E5-2600 v2 chips for two-socket boxes . The Register . en-US . November 13, 2022 .
  41. News: Intel Introduces Highly Versatile Datacenter Processor Family Architected for New Era of Services . Intel Newsroom . September 10, 2013 . September 13, 2013.
  42. Web site: De Gelas . Johan . September 8, 2014 . Intel Xeon E5 Version 3, Up to 18 Haswell EP Cores: The Magic Inside the Uncore . AnandTech . en-US . September 9, 2014.
  43. Web site: Shvets . Anthony . May 7, 2015 . Intel launches Xeon E7 v3 server processors . CPU-World . en-US . May 16, 2015.
  44. Web site: De Gelas . Johan . May 8, 2015 . The Intel Xeon E7-8800 v3 Review: The POWER8 Killer? . AnandTech . en-US . May 16, 2015.
  45. Web site: Mujtaba . Hassan . May 6, 2015 . Intel Unleashes Haswell-EX Xeon E7 V3 Processors – Up to 18 Cores, 45 MB L3 Cache, 12 TB DDR4 Memory Support and 5.7 Billion Transistors . Wccftech . en-US . January 29, 2016.
  46. Web site: Cutress . Ian . August 12, 2014 . Intel Disables TSX Instructions: Erratum Found in Haswell, Haswell-E/EP, Broadwell-Y . AnandTech . en-US . August 30, 2014.
  47. Web site: Transactional Synchronization in Haswell . Intel . en-US . February 7, 2012 . February 7, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120208215723/http://software.intel.com/en-us/blogs/2012/02/07/transactional-synchronization-in-haswell/ . 2012-02-08 . dead.
  48. Web site: Wasson . Scott . August 12, 2014 . Errata prompts Intel to disable TSX in Haswell, early Broadwell CPUs . Tech Report . August 12, 2014.
  49. Web site: Desktop 4th Generation Intel Core Processor Family, Desktop Intel Pentium Processor Family, and Desktop Intel Celeron Processor Family: Specification Update (Revision 039US) . Intel . en-US . April 2020 . November 13, 2022 . 46 . Under a complex set of internal timing conditions and system events, software using the Intel TSX (Transactional Synchronization Extensions) instructions may observe unpredictable system behavior..
  50. MiB = MB = 1024 kB
  51. 128 GB after BIOS update
  52. MiB = MB = 1024 kB
  53. GB = 1024 MB = 1024^2 kB = 1024^3 B
  54. Web site: McCalpin . John D. . STREAM benchmark . University of Virginia . en-US . December 10, 2022.
  55. Web site: STREAM "Top20" results . University of Virginia . en-US . December 10, 2022.