Intel Xeon D-2799 vs Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 Comparison

# Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 vs Intel Xeon D-2799

The benchmark data places these two server processors in nearly identical territory, with the Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 holding a razor-thin edge across every tested workload. The average benchmark scores tell the story: 8315 for the Platinum 8268 versus 8308 for the D-2799, a delta of just 0.1% that places both at the 64th percentile among all CPUs. When a 24-core Cascade Lake-SP part and a 20-core Ice Lake-D part land this close, the deciding factors become platform fit, power envelope, and specific workload characteristics rather than raw performance supremacy.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Platinum 8268 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, but the margins are almost laughably small. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Platinum scores 2897 against the D-2799's 2895, a 0.1% advantage. Single-core R15 is a dead tie at 408 for both chips, making it the only test where the deltaPct is exactly 0. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: multicore shows 12074 for the Platinum versus 12063 for the D-2799, another 0.1% gap, while single-core lands at 1704 versus 1703, again a 0.1% difference. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend with 28749 against 28723, and single-core R23 gives 4058 versus 4055, both showing the same 0.1% margin.

Looking at these numbers, the performance difference is effectively negligible for real-world workloads. A 0.1% delta in multicore tests means the Platinum 8268 completes a render in roughly the same time as the D-2799, within any reasonable margin of measurement error. The single-core results reinforce this interpretation, as the two chips trade identical or near-identical scores across all three Cinebench versions. For builders comparing these parts, the benchmark data suggests that performance alone will not decide the purchase; platform and power considerations will carry far more weight.

The nearest rival data confirms that both chips sit in a tightly packed performance cluster. The Intel Xeon Gold 5320T averages 8316, just one point ahead of the Platinum 8268, while the Core i7-1065G7 and Core i5-10210U hover within a few points in either direction. This means the Platinum 8268 and D-2799 are not just close to each other, but also to a broader set of processors spanning different market segments, from mobile laptop chips to other server parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Xeon D-2799 has 20 cores and 40 threads. The Platinum 8268 carries a 4-core and 8-thread advantage, yet it only manages a 0.1% multicore benchmark lead, indicating the D-2799's newer architecture compensates for its lower core count.

Q: How do their power requirements differ?

A: The Platinum 8268 has a TDP of 205 watts, while the D-2799 draws significantly less at 129 watts. This 76-watt difference makes the D-2799 substantially more power-efficient per core, a meaningful consideration for dense server deployments where cooling and electricity costs matter.

Q: What sockets do these processors use?

A: The Platinum 8268 uses Intel Socket 3647, a large server socket designed for scalable Xeon platforms. The D-2799 uses Intel BGA 2579, a ball-grid array socket that is soldered directly to the motherboard, which means it is not upgradeable in the traditional sense.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Platinum 8268 and the D-2799 support ECC memory, making them suitable for mission-critical server and workstation workloads where data integrity is paramount. Both also support DDR4 memory, though the D-2799 explicitly lists quad-channel memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the release date difference between them?

A: The Platinum 8268 was released on December 10, 2018, while the D-2799 launched over three years later on February 23, 2022. The D-2799 is listed as an active production chip, whereas the Platinum 8268 does not have a production status listed in the data.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Platinum 8268 boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the D-2799 boosts to 3.40 GHz. The Platinum 8268 also has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 2.40 GHz for the D-2799, giving it a clock speed advantage across the board, though the D-2799's newer architecture mitigates this in benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The Platinum 8268 is built on Cascade Lake-SP, which uses Intel's 14 nm process node and contains 8,000 million transistors. The D-2799 is built on Ice Lake-D, which uses Intel's newer 10 nm process node, though transistor count is not listed in the data. The 10 nm process represents a significant manufacturing advancement that typically enables higher efficiency and improved performance per watt.

Cache layouts differ between the two as well. The Platinum 8268 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 35.75 MB L3 cache. The D-2799 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 30 MB L3 cache. The D-2799 provides more cache per core, which can improve performance in cache-sensitive workloads, while the Platinum 8268 has a larger total L3 pool for its additional cores.

The D-2799 brings several platform-level architectural improvements. It supports PCIe Gen 4 with 32 lanes (CPU only), which doubles the bandwidth available for storage and accelerators compared to older PCIe Gen 3 implementations. The memory subsystem on the D-2799 is explicitly quad-channel with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Platinum 8268's PCIe and memory bandwidth details are not listed in the data, so direct comparisons on these fronts are limited.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ notably: the Platinum 8268 offers 24 cores and 48 threads versus 20 cores and 40 threads on the D-2799. Clock speeds also favor the Platinum 8268, with a 2.90 GHz base clock and 3.90 GHz boost clock compared to the D-2799's 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The Platinum 8268 draws 205 watts TDP, while the D-2799 is rated at just 129 watts, a significant reduction that makes the D-2799 far more attractive for power-constrained environments.

Socket compatibility splits them into entirely different platforms. The Platinum 8268 uses Intel Socket 3647, which is typical for scalable Xeon platforms with replaceable processors. The D-2799 uses Intel BGA 2579, a soldered ball-grid array socket that comes attached to the motherboard, limiting upgrade paths but simplifying system design.

The manufacturing node differs as expected: 14 nm for the Platinum 8268 and 10 nm for the D-2799. The memory bus is listed for the D-2799 as quad-channel with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Platinum 8268's memory bus details are absent from the data. The D-2799 has a launch MSRP of $1972, which can be stated as its launch price. The Platinum 8268 has no launch MSRP listed.

Where Each One Wins

The Platinum 8268 wins on raw core count and clock speeds. Its 24 cores and 48 threads provide more parallel processing capacity than the D-2799's 20 cores and 40 threads. The higher base and boost clocks (2.90 GHz and 3.90 GHz versus 2.40 GHz and 3.40 GHz) give it a theoretical advantage in lightly threaded workloads, though the benchmark data shows this translates to almost no real-world difference in Cinebench single-core tests.

The D-2799 wins decisively on power efficiency. Its 129 watt TDP versus 205 watts for the Platinum 8268 means it delivers nearly identical benchmark performance while consuming 76 fewer watts. For dense server environments with many sockets, this power advantage compounds significantly. The D-2799 also benefits from newer PCIe Gen 4 support with 32 lanes, which is better suited for modern NVMe storage and accelerator cards that can saturate older PCIe Gen 3 connections.

The benchmark data shows the Platinum 8268 wins all six head-to-head tests, but by margins that are practically meaningless. The real differentiators are platform characteristics rather than benchmark scores. The Platinum 8268 is the better choice for applications that need maximum core count and can tolerate higher power draw, while the D-2799 suits environments where power efficiency and modern I/O support take priority.

The Verdict

Choosing between these two processors comes down to platform requirements and power constraints, not benchmark performance. The data shows the Platinum 8268 edges out the D-2799 in every tested workload, but the largest margin is just 0.1%, which is within measurement noise for Cinebench tests. Both chips sit at the 64th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by only 7 points out of roughly 8300.

The D-2799 is the sensible pick for builders who prioritize power efficiency and modern connectivity. Its 129 watt TDP makes it far easier to cool in dense chassis, and the PCIe Gen 4 support with 32 lanes enables faster storage and peripheral throughput than older generations. The soldered BGA 2579 socket means it comes as part of a motherboard package, which can simplify procurement for embedded or edge deployments. The newer 10 nm process node and 2022 release date indicate a more current design that should remain viable for longer.

The Platinum 8268 appeals to builders who need maximum core counts and already have a Socket 3647 platform in place. Its 24 cores and 48 threads provide more parallel compute capacity, and the higher clock speeds offer a slight edge in frequency-sensitive workloads. The 205 watt TDP requires robust cooling, but in a full-scale server environment with appropriate heatsinks and airflow, this is a manageable trade-off. The 2018 release date makes it an older design, but the benchmark results show it still competes effectively with the much newer D-2799.

For most practical deployments, the D-2799 offers the better overall package due to its power efficiency and modern I/O features, unless the specific need is maximum core density in an existing 3647 platform. The performance parity between these two chips is remarkable given their architectural and generational differences, but the D-2799's lower power draw and newer feature set give it the edge for forward-looking server builds.