Intel Xeon 6738P
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
ECC MemoryAt a Glance
IntelIntel Xeon 6738P Specifications
Xeon 6738P Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Xeon 6738P features 32 physical cores and 64 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
6738P Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Xeon 6738P benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Xeon 6738P by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Xeon 6738P Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the 6738P processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Xeon 6738P's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Granite Rapids Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Xeon 6738P is built on Intel's 5 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in 6738P incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Granite Rapids Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Xeon 6738P by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
6738P Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Xeon 6738P has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 270W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 4710 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Xeon 6738P uses the Intel Socket 4710 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 4710 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the 6738P define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Xeon 6738P determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Xeon 6738P Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Xeon 6738P is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Xeon 6738P by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Xeon 6738P Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
About Intel Xeon 6738P
Intel Xeon 6738P sits in a specific performance tier: a 32-core, 64-thread Granite Rapids-SP processor that lands at the 50th percentile among all CPUs tracked, with a launch MSRP of $6540. This is a server/workstation part aimed at dense, memory-bandwidth-hungry workloads rather than interactive desktop use, and its data profile reflects that positioning.
Who Should Consider It
The Intel Xeon 6738P is built for multi-threaded server and workstation tasks where sustained throughput matters more than single-core responsiveness. Its 32 cores and 64 threads make it a natural fit for virtualization hosts, database servers, and scientific computing workloads that scale across many threads. The 50th percentile ranking against all CPUs indicates it is not a top-tier extreme performer, but rather a solid mid-pack option that balances core count with power requirements.
For creation workloads like video rendering, 3D scene compilation, or software builds, the 64-thread capacity provides strong parallel throughput, though the 2.90 GHz base clock means heavily single-threaded rendering paths will not shine. Office productivity and general desktop use are poor fits — this processor is designed for a server chassis with active cooling, not a workstation under a desk. The eight-channel DDR5 memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth is a clear signal that memory-intensive applications like in-memory analytics, large-scale simulations, and high-end data processing are the intended targets.
Gamers should look elsewhere entirely. No integrated graphics are present, and the 270 W TDP combined with a Socket 4710 platform implies a server board without consumer gaming features. The data shows a processor optimized for consistent multi-threaded execution, not latency-sensitive interactive workloads.
Power and Thermals
The 270 W TDP places the Xeon 6738P in the high-power server class, requiring a serious cooling solution. This is not a processor that can be handled by a stock air cooler or a compact liquid cooler; it demands a robust server-grade heatsink or a high-end liquid cooling loop designed for socket 4710. The 5 nm process node from Intel helps manage density, but the thermal output still requires careful chassis airflow planning.
A 270 W TDP implies that sustained all-core loads will generate significant heat, so system integrators must ensure adequate ventilation and possibly consider high-static-pressure fan configurations. The lack of a multiplier unlock (multiplierUnlocked: false) means users cannot reduce power draw via overclocking headroom — the chip runs at its specified 2.90 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, with thermal management handled by the platform. For a single-socket server, this TDP is manageable, but it rules out dense multi-socket configurations where power and cooling budgets are tight.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The split between a 2.90 GHz base clock and a 4.20 GHz boost clock reveals a processor that can scale up for short bursts but relies on its core count for sustained work. The 32 cores and 64 threads dominate the performance profile; single-thread performance, while not explicitly benchmarked, is constrained by the relatively modest base frequency. This means workloads that are latency-bound on a single core — such as legacy database queries, single-threaded scripting, or lightly threaded applications — will not see the same uplift as fully parallelized tasks.
In practice, the data indicates that the Xeon 6738P rewards workloads that can spread across all 64 threads. The gap between base and boost is about 1.3 GHz, which is typical for a server part that prioritizes power efficiency during idle or light loads while reserving higher clocks for short single-thread bursts. For mixed workloads, the scheduler should be configured to group multi-threaded processes together, as the processor will spend most of its time near the base clock under all-core load. The 144 MB shared L3 cache helps mitigate some single-thread latency penalties by keeping frequently accessed data close to the cores.
How It Compares
The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals with scores or deltaPct values, so direct quantitative comparisons to other processors are not available from the data. However, the 50th percentile ranking against all CPUs provides a reference point: this is a mid-pack processor in the broader CPU landscape, meaning it outperforms roughly half of all tracked processors but is not in the top quartile of extreme performance.
Without rival data, the positioning must be inferred from its architecture and specifications. The Granite Rapids-SP generation and 5 nm process place it among Intel’s current server offerings, but the 32-core count is modest compared to higher-end Xeon parts that might feature more cores. The 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) and eight-channel DDR5 support suggest it is aimed at balanced server configurations rather than maximum core-density racks.
FAQ
Q: Does the Intel Xeon 6738P support ECC memory?
A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, which is essential for server reliability and data integrity in compute-heavy environments.
Q: What socket type does this processor use?
A: It uses Intel Socket 4710, which is specific to the Granite Rapids-SP platform and is not compatible with consumer sockets.
Q: How much L3 cache does the Xeon 6738P have?
A: It has 144 MB of shared L3 cache, which helps reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data across all 32 cores.
Q: Is the processor overclockable?
A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the processor runs at its specified 2.90 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost clocks without manual overclocking.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of this processor?
A: The eight-channel DDR5 memory bus provides a theoretical bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, which is a key feature for memory-intensive server workloads.
Q: Does it have integrated graphics?
A: No, there is no integrated graphics unit, so a discrete GPU is required for any display output.
Platform and Compatibility
The Xeon 6738P is built for the Intel Socket 4710 platform, which is part of the Granite Rapids-SP family. This socket is designed exclusively for server and workstation motherboards, so there is no cross-compatibility with consumer platforms. The processor supports DDR5 memory across an eight-channel bus, delivering 409.6 GB/s of theoretical bandwidth, and includes 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) for high-speed peripheral connectivity.
The 5 nm process node and 598 mm² die size indicate a large, complex chip that requires a robust power delivery system on the motherboard. ECC memory support is standard, aligning with server reliability expectations. The upgrade path is limited to other Socket 4710 processors from the same Granite Rapids-SP generation, as the socket is not forward- or backward-compatible with other Intel architectures. Production status is active, meaning the processor is currently available in the market.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark data for the Xeon 6738P is sparse: the avgBenchmarkScore is 0, and no specific benchmark results or nearest rival comparisons are provided. The percentileVsAllCpus field shows a 50th percentile ranking, which means this processor performs at the median level compared to all CPUs in the database. This is a meaningful indicator — it suggests that while the processor is capable, it does not deliver top-tier performance relative to the entire CPU landscape.
Without rival scores or deltaPct values, exact percentage comparisons are not possible from the FACT PACK. However, the 50th percentile can be interpreted as follows: half of all tracked CPUs outperform it, and half perform worse. For a 32-core server part with a 270 W TDP, this ranking implies that the core count does not translate into elite benchmark scores, likely due to the moderate base clock of 2.90 GHz and the absence of any extreme boost behavior beyond 4.20 GHz.
The 144 MB L3 cache and 409.6 GB/s memory bandwidth are strong assets for memory-bound benchmarks, but the processor does not appear to have the raw single-thread or all-core clock speeds to compete with higher-tier server chips. The data indicates a processor that is solid for its intended server workloads, but not a benchmark champion. Users should expect consistent, predictable multi-threaded performance at the median level, rather than class-leading results.
The AMD Equivalent of Xeon 6738P
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 5 5605GE offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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