Intel Xeon D-2799 vs Intel Xeon Gold 5318N Comparison

Intel Xeon Gold 5318N and Intel Xeon D-2799 are both 10 nm Ice Lake server processors, but they target different deployment scenarios despite similar benchmark results. The Gold 5318N is a large-socket part with 24 cores and 48 threads, while the D-2799 is a system-on-chip with 20 cores and 40 threads on a BGA package. Benchmark data shows the Gold 5318N edges ahead in every Cinebench test, but the margins are consistently narrow, with the D-2799 offering a lower TDP and integrated platform features that shift the value equation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent: the Intel Xeon Gold 5318N wins all six Cinebench comparisons, but by the same 1.5% margin in every instance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Gold 5318N scores 2938 against 2895 for the D-2799. Single-core R15 sees 414 versus 408. Moving to R20, the Gold 5318N posts 12245 multi-core and 1728 single-core, while the D-2799 trails with 12063 and 1703 respectively. The R23 results follow the pattern: 29155 versus 28723 in multi-core, and 4116 versus 4055 in single-core.

That 1.5% delta across all six tests is unusual. It suggests the performance gap is consistent regardless of workload type, which points to a fundamental throughput difference rather than an architectural advantage in specific instruction patterns. The Gold 5318N’s extra four cores and eight threads deliver a modest but uniform edge. In terms of aggregate performance, the Gold 5318N averages 8433 across all benchmark scores, while the D-2799 averages 8308, a difference of roughly 1.5% as well. Both processors sit at the 64th percentile against all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier.

The nearest rival data provides context. The Gold 5318N’s closest competitors include the Intel Core i7-8550U (deltaPct 0.3), the Pentium Gold G7400 (deltaPct -1), and the Core i5-10210U (deltaPct 1.1). The D-2799, meanwhile, sits near the Xeon Platinum 8268 (deltaPct -0.1) and Xeon Gold 5320T (deltaPct -0.1). These rival comparisons show that both Xeon parts occupy a performance band shared with mobile and desktop processors, though their server features and memory configurations set them apart in real workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon Gold 5318N wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests by 1.5%. In R15, it scores 2938 versus 2895; in R20, 12245 versus 12063; and in R23, 29155 versus 28723.

Q: Is the single-core performance difference significant?

A: No. The Gold 5318N leads by the same 1.5% margin in every single-core test. R15 scores are 414 versus 408, R20 scores are 1728 versus 1703, and R23 scores are 4116 versus 4055. The consistency suggests a core-for-core similarity with a slight clock advantage for the Gold.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The D-2799 has a lower TDP at 129, while the Gold 5318N is rated at 150. This is a 21-watt difference that favors the D-2799 in power-constrained environments, despite its slightly lower performance.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Gold 5318N has 24 cores and 48 threads, compared to the D-2799’s 20 cores and 40 threads. The Gold offers four additional cores and eight additional threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the Intel Xeon Gold 5318N and Intel Xeon D-2799 support ECC memory, consistent with their server/workstation market segment classification.

Q: What is the release date difference?

A: The Gold 5318N was released on 2021-04-05, while the D-2799 came later on 2022-02-23. The D-2799 also has a launch MSRP of $1972, while no MSRP is listed for the Gold.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon Gold 5318N wins in raw compute. Its 24 cores and 48 threads outperform the D-2799 across all six Cinebench tests, with a consistent 1.5% lead. This makes it the better choice for workloads that scale with core count, such as multi-threaded rendering, virtualization, or batch processing. The Gold’s 36 MB of shared L3 cache versus 30 MB on the D-2799 also supports larger working sets, and its eight-channel memory bus provides 170.7 GB/s of bandwidth compared to the D-2799’s quad-channel 102.4 GB/s. For memory-intensive applications, the Gold’s higher bandwidth is a decisive factor.

The Intel Xeon D-2799 wins in efficiency and integration. Its 129 TDP is lower than the Gold’s 150, which means less heat generation and lower cooling requirements. The BGA 2579 socket indicates a soldered, compact form factor, which suits dense, low-power server deployments where space and thermal envelopes are tight. The D-2799 also has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches: 80 KB and 1.25 MB per core respectively, versus 64 KB and 1 MB on the Gold. This per-core cache advantage can reduce latency in single-threaded or lightly threaded workloads. The D-2799’s launch MSRP of $1972 provides a reference point, though both are server-class parts.

For workloads that are not purely compute-bound, the D-2799’s integrated design may win. Its PCIe Gen 4 lanes are fewer (32 versus 64), but the BGA package eliminates the need for a separate socket and chipset, simplifying board design. The Gold 5318N, with its Intel Socket 4189, requires a more complex motherboard but offers more PCIe lanes for expansion. If the workload needs maximum memory bandwidth or core count, the Gold wins. If the goal is a low-power, compact server with adequate performance, the D-2799 wins.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in core configuration and memory architecture. The Gold 5318N has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the D-2799 has 20 cores and 40 threads. Base clocks differ: the Gold runs at 2.10 GHz, the D-2799 at 2.40 GHz. Boost clocks are identical at 3.40 GHz. TDP differs by 21 watts, with the Gold at 150 and the D-2799 at 129.

The socket is a major difference. The Gold uses Intel Socket 4189, a scalable LGA platform, while the D-2799 uses Intel BGA 2579, a soldered design. The memory bus also differs: the Gold supports eight-channel DDR4 with 170.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the D-2799 supports quad-channel DDR4 with 102.4 GB/s. PCIe lane counts vary as well, with the Gold offering 64 Gen 4 lanes (CPU only) versus 32 lanes on the D-2799. Release dates differ by about ten months, with the Gold launching 2021-04-05 and the D-2799 launching 2022-02-23. The D-2799 has a launch MSRP of $1972; the Gold has no listed MSRP.

Cache hierarchies show a trade-off. The Gold has larger L3 at 36 MB shared, but smaller per-core L1 and L2 (64 KB and 1 MB). The D-2799 has smaller L3 at 30 MB shared, but larger per-core L1 and L2 (80 KB and 1.25 MB). This means the Gold is optimized for aggregate cache, while the D-2799 favors per-core locality.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Ice Lake architecture, but they belong to different sub-families: the Gold 5318N is Ice Lake-SP (scalable processor), while the D-2799 is Ice Lake-D (density-optimized). Both use Intel’s 10 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel. Neither has integrated graphics, and both lack unlocked multipliers.

The core microarchitecture is the same Ice Lake design, but the package and platform differ. The Gold 5318N is designed for multi-socket-capable SP platforms, evidenced by its 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and eight-channel memory controller. The D-2799 is a system-on-chip for edge and compact servers, with 32 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and quad-channel memory. The D-2799’s per-core cache is larger (80 KB L1, 1.25 MB L2) because it integrates more cache per core, potentially compensating for fewer cores in latency-sensitive workloads.

The production status for both is Active, meaning they are currently available. Both target the Server/Workstation market segment and support ECC memory. The D-2799 has a part number (SRLCTSRM2C), while the Gold does not list one. The D-2799’s newer release date (2022-02-23) suggests it benefits from later manufacturing refinements, though benchmark data does not show an advantage over the earlier Gold. The architectural difference is primarily in platform scope: the Gold is a broad, high-bandwidth socketed part; the D-2799 is a dense, integrated part with lower power draw. The benchmark scores reflect this: the Gold’s extra cores and memory bandwidth give it a slight but universal lead, while the D-2799’s lower TDP and compact BGA form factor address different deployment priorities.