Intel Xeon 6978P
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
ECC MemoryAt a Glance
IntelIntel Xeon 6978P Specifications
Xeon 6978P Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Xeon 6978P features 120 physical cores and 240 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.
6978P Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Xeon 6978P 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 6978P by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Xeon 6978P Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the 6978P 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 6978P'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 6978P 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 6978P incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Granite Rapids Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Xeon 6978P 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.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Xeon 6978P has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 500W, 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 7529 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Xeon 6978P uses the Intel Socket 7529 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 7529 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the 6978P 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 6978P 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.
Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Xeon 6978P 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 6978P by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
About Intel Xeon 6978P
The Intel Xeon 6978P is a 120-core, 240-thread server processor from Intel, built on the Granite Rapids architecture and listed in the Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-AP) generation. It runs at a 2.10 GHz base clock and a 3.90 GHz boost clock, with a 500 W TDP and Intel Socket 7529. The fact pack contains no benchmark scores and no nearest-rival entries; the reported average benchmark score is 0, and the percentile versus all CPUs is 50.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark list in the fact pack is empty, so direct performance scores for this processor are not available. The average benchmark score field is 0 because there are no benchmark entries to average. The only comparative benchmark-derived field is the percentile versus all CPUs, which is 50. That places the processor at the midpoint of the all-CPU distribution in the database, although with no measured scores in the data set, this percentile is a positional marker rather than a performance result.
Because the nearestRivals array is empty, no rival-specific scores or deltaPct values exist. No exact percentage deltas against other CPUs can be computed from the data. What the fact pack does provide is the architectural foundation for performance: 120 cores, 240 threads, 504 MB of shared L3 cache, and 614.4 GB/s of DDR5 memory bandwidth. These resource figures point toward highly parallel server workloads. The data does not state how those resources translate into benchmark results.
Without scores, a verdict about raw performance relative to other processors must remain limited to the available structural indicators. The 120-core/240-thread configuration is the clearest signal in the fact pack. The 504 MB shared L3 cache and the twelve-channel DDR5 memory interface are the next strongest indicators of data-heavy server capability. Still, the benchmark data itself is absent, so a score-based conclusion cannot be drawn.
How It Compares
The nearestRivals field is empty in the FACT PACK. There are no named rival processors to compare against, and there are no deltaPct values. No per-rival paragraph can be produced from the data because no rival entries are present.
The only comparative quantifier in the data is the percentile versus all CPUs, which is 50. That means the processor sits at the median position of the all-CPU distribution in the database, but the average benchmark score of 0 means no measured performance is backing that position. Without rival scores or named rivals, the fact pack does not support statements about being ahead of or behind any specific processor.
This absence of comparison data is itself meaningful for a database entry: the Xeon 6978P lacks the rival context that would normally allow a benchmark-driven ranking. The data shows no underdog or leader relationship, because no relationship is listed. Any comparison to another CPU would require benchmark values that are not in the fact pack.
Who Should Consider It
The market segment field for the Intel Xeon 6978P is Server/Workstation. That classification, combined with 120 cores and 240 threads, makes the processor a fit for workloads that can be divided into many parallel tasks. The 504 MB shared L3 cache and 614.4 GB/s of twelve-channel DDR5 memory bandwidth support applications that move large amounts of data through the processor.
The data does not include gaming benchmark scores, so a gaming recommendation cannot be drawn from the fact pack. It also does not include office workload benchmark scores, so office performance is unmeasured. The fact pack lists no integrated graphics, which means any system built around this processor would need a separate display solution.
For creation workloads that scale well with many cores and threads, the 120-core/240-thread design is relevant, but creation benchmark scores are not supplied. The clearest recommendation is for server and workstation deployments where high core counts, large shared cache, and high memory bandwidth are primary considerations. The 500 W TDP also means the host platform must be built for that power class.
FAQ
Q: What socket does the Intel Xeon 6978P use?
A: It uses Intel Socket 7529.
Q: How many cores and threads does it have?
A: It has 120 cores and 240 threads.
Q: What memory configuration is supported?
A: It supports DDR5 with a twelve-channel memory bus, ECC memory, and 614.4 GB/s memory bandwidth.
Q: What is the TDP?
A: The TDP is 500 W.
Q: What is the launch MSRP?
A: launch MSRP $11025.
Q: Is integrated graphics available?
A: The fact pack lists no integrated graphics for this processor.
Power and Thermals
The TDP is 500 W, which places the processor in a high-power class. The fact pack does not specify a cooling solution, so an exact cooler tier is not identified. A 500 W TDP implies a cooling solution built for server or workstation operation rather than a low-power desktop design.
The processor is manufactured on a 5 nm process, and the die size is listed as 3x 598 mm². Those figures describe the physical package that dissipates the 500 W envelope. The production status is Active, meaning the part is currently in production. The fact pack does not include thermal data such as maximum operating temperature, so the cooling requirement is defined by the TDP alone.
Platform and Compatibility
The Intel Xeon 6978P fits Intel Socket 7529. The architecture is Granite Rapids, and the generation is Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-AP). Memory support is DDR5 with a twelve-channel memory bus, ECC support, and 614.4 GB/s memory bandwidth. The CPU provides Gen 5 PCIe with 96 lanes listed as CPU only.
The multiplier is locked, so user-level frequency adjustment is not supported according to the data. The part number is SA2YL. The production status is Active. The fact pack does not list other socket-compatible CPUs, so the upgrade path is defined by the socket and generation rather than by a documented set of alternatives.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The processor’s multi-thread resource is 120 cores and 240 threads. The cache hierarchy is 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 504 MB of shared L3. Those figures describe a design aimed at workloads with large shared data sets and many concurrent threads.
The base clock is 2.10 GHz and the boost clock is 3.90 GHz, which defines the frequency envelope for both single-thread and multi-thread execution. The fact pack contains no single-thread benchmark score, so the exact single-thread standing cannot be quantified. The data instead shows a design weighted toward high core-count scalability, with a large shared cache and 614.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth supporting parallel access patterns.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the Intel Xeon 6978P are below.
Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
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