Intel Xeon 6788P

The Intel Xeon 6788P is a server/workstation processor built on the Granite Rapids architecture, manufactured on Intel's 5 nm process. It packs 86 cores with 172 threads, a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, backed by a 336 MB shared L3 cache. The chip fits the Intel Socket 4710, supports eight-channel DDR5 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, and offers 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. Its launch MSRP is $19000. The data set includes no benchmark scores, and the percentile versus all CPUs stands at 50, which places it at the median of the tracked population—a curious position for a part with this core count.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Xeon 6788P is absent: the `benchmarks` array is empty, and the `avgBenchmarkScore` is reported as 0. Consequently, no direct performance scores or percentage deltas against rivals can be derived. The `nearestRivals` list is also empty, so there are no reference points for comparative analysis. The only quantitative performance indicator is the `percentileVsAllCpus` value of 50, which suggests that, in the aggregate database of all CPUs, this processor sits exactly at the median. That is surprising for a 86-core, 172-thread part, but the percentile likely reflects a mix of consumer and server parts, many of which have far fewer cores but higher single-thread clocks.

What can be inferred from the specifications? The combination of 86 cores and a 3.80 GHz boost clock implies substantial multi-threaded throughput. The 336 MB shared L3 cache is enormous, and the 409.6 GB/s memory bandwidth from eight-channel DDR5 provides a wide pipe for data-hungry workloads. While no scores exist, the raw numbers point to a processor designed for parallel tasks that can saturate many cores simultaneously. The lack of benchmark results may indicate that this part is too new or too niche for the database to have captured measurements yet, but the architectural data alone positions it as a high-end server offering.

Power and Thermals

The TDP is rated at 350 watts. This is a high-power figure, placing the Xeon 6788P in the upper echelon of processor power consumption. For context, most consumer desktop CPUs sit well below 150W, and even many workstation chips rarely exceed 250W. A 350W TDP demands a robust thermal solution—likely a large server-grade air cooler or a liquid cooling loop designed for continuous operation in dense racks. The die size is listed as 2x 598 mm², which is substantial; the heat generated across such a large die area requires efficient heat spreaders and high airflow. The 5 nm process helps mitigate some thermal density, but the sheer number of active cores and the high boost clock contribute to the significant power envelope.

Cooling implications go beyond the cooler itself. Systems built around this processor must ensure adequate chassis ventilation and power delivery. A 350W TDP also influences the power supply requirements, though exact system power consumption is not specified. In practice, this chip is intended for server environments where cooling is engineered to handle sustained loads, not for quiet desktop builds. The data suggests that any deployment must account for the thermal output at full load, which is a core consideration for data center design.

Platform and Compatibility

The Xeon 6788P uses Intel Socket 4710, a socket specific to the Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) generation. This socket is not compatible with older Xeon platforms, meaning a motherboard purchase is required when upgrading from previous generations. The chip supports DDR5 memory across eight channels, which is the current standard for high-bandwidth server memory. The memory bandwidth is rated at 409.6 GB/s, a figure that reflects the aggregate throughput of the eight channels. ECC memory is supported, which is essential for error-sensitive server workloads.

PCIe connectivity is provided by 88 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU itself. This is a generous number, enabling multiple high-speed accelerators, NVMe storage devices, and network cards to be attached directly to the processor. The PCIe Gen 5 standard doubles the bandwidth per lane compared to Gen 4, so the 88 lanes offer substantial I/O throughput. The architecture is Granite Rapids, and the process node is 5 nm, produced by Intel. The die size is 2x 598 mm², indicating a dual-die design. This layout likely improves manufacturing yields and allows for a larger core count, but it also means that inter-die communication is a factor in performance scaling.

Upgrade path considerations: because the socket is specific to this generation, future upgrades would require a new motherboard unless Intel maintains socket compatibility across the Xeon 6 lineup. The data does not indicate any backward or forward compatibility beyond the listed socket. The memory and PCIe support are modern, so the platform is well equipped for current and near-future server workloads.

Who Should Consider It

The Xeon 6788P is aimed squarely at server and workstation environments where multi-threaded performance and memory bandwidth are critical. Given its 86 cores and 172 threads, it is well suited for workloads that can leverage massive parallelism: virtualization (running many VMs), database management, scientific simulations, and large-scale data analytics. The 336 MB L3 cache helps reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data, and the 409.6 GB/s memory bandwidth ensures that the cores are fed without bottlenecks. The 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes allow for high-speed connections to GPUs or other accelerators, making it a candidate for AI inference or training clusters, though no specific AI benchmarks are provided.

For gaming, this processor is overkill; its moderate single-thread clock (3.80 GHz boost) is not the highest, and gaming typically favors fewer cores with higher clocks. The absence of integrated graphics also means a discrete GPU is mandatory. For office productivity, the massive core count is underutilized, and the high TDP makes it impractical for typical desktop use. The processor's strengths lie in throughput-oriented tasks that can spread across all 172 threads. It also supports ECC memory, which is a requirement for mission-critical applications where data integrity is paramount. The launch MSRP of $19000 positions it in the premium segment, but that price is justified for enterprise buyers who need maximum core density in a single socket.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The base clock of 2000.00 MHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz reveal a processor that prioritizes multi-thread capability over raw single-thread speed. A 3.80 GHz boost is respectable but not exceptional; many consumer chips exceed 5 GHz. However, the 86 cores and 172 threads mean that even at a moderate clock, the aggregate throughput is enormous. The single-thread performance, while not top-tier, is sufficient for tasks that are not heavily parallelized, but the real value emerges when all cores are engaged.

The large L3 cache (336 MB) helps mitigate the latency penalty of a lower clock by keeping more data closer to the cores. The memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s further supports multi-threaded workloads by allowing many cores to access data concurrently without contention. In practice, workloads that exhibit high thread-level parallelism—such as rendering, financial modeling, or code compilation—will see near-linear scaling up to the core count. Conversely, single-thread-bound applications will not benefit from the extra cores and will be limited by the 3.80 GHz ceiling. The data suggests that this processor is best deployed in environments where the workload can be decomposed into many parallel threads, rather than relying on high-frequency execution.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Xeon 6788P use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 4710.

Q: How much L3 cache does it have?

A: It has 336 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What type of memory does it support and how many channels?

A: It supports DDR5 memory across eight channels, with a maximum bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s.

Q: How many PCIe lanes are available?

A: The CPU provides 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 350 watts.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported.

How It Compares

The `nearestRivals` array is empty, so no direct comparison to competing processors is available in the data set. Without reference points, it is impossible to calculate percentage deltas or positional rankings. The only comparative metric is the `percentileVsAllCpus` of 50, which indicates a median standing in the overall CPU database. This is likely skewed by the inclusion of many consumer parts, but it does not offer meaningful insight into its standing among other server processors. The absence of rival data means that a positional analysis cannot be performed; the specifications must be evaluated on their own merits. Given the core count, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lane availability, the Xeon 6788P is clearly positioned in the high-end server segment, but the lack of comparative scores leaves its exact competitive stance undefined.