Intel Xeon D-2798NT

Intel Xeon D-2798NT is a 20-core, 40-thread server processor built on Intel’s 10 nm Ice Lake-D architecture, operating at a 2.10 GHz base clock and 3.10 GHz boost clock with a 125 W TDP. It sits at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the benchmark database, indicating median performance positioning, though its specific benchmark scores are not yet populated. The processor supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and ECC, plus 32 Gen 4 PCIe lanes, making it a dense, connectivity-rich option for embedded and edge server workloads.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Xeon D-2798NT’s performance split is defined by its clock strategy and core count. With a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost of 3.10 GHz, single-threaded workloads rely on a modest 1.0 GHz uplift, which is typical for a power-constrained server chip rather than a desktop part. The data indicates that the processor’s single-thread capability will lag behind high-clock workstation CPUs, but the 20 cores and 40 threads provide substantial parallel throughput. For real workloads, this means tasks that scale well across cores—like virtualization, database queries, or batch processing—will benefit more from the core count than from per-core speed.

The 30 MB shared L3 cache, combined with 1.25 MB L2 per core and 80 KB L1 per core, suggests a cache hierarchy tuned for server workloads with moderate per-thread working sets. Benchmark results, when available, would likely show a multi-thread score far exceeding the single-thread score, as the 40 threads can be saturated in heavily parallel tasks. In contrast, lightly threaded applications, such as legacy single-threaded scripts or certain game engines, will see performance closer to the 3.10 GHz boost ceiling, which is not exceptional for that class of workload. The 125 W TDP indicates that sustained all-core boosts will be limited by thermal and power delivery, so multi-thread performance may plateau under full load.

For real-world interpretation, the split suggests a processor designed for throughput-oriented environments where many concurrent threads are the norm. Single-thread tasks will be serviceable but not class-leading, while multi-thread tasks will dominate the performance profile. The quad-channel memory bus and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth further support multi-threaded data movement, reducing bottlenecks when many cores access shared data.

Who Should Consider It

Server and virtualization hosts: The 20 cores and 40 threads, paired with ECC memory support and quad-channel DDR4, make this a strong candidate for hypervisors running multiple virtual machines. The data shows a high thread count for the 125 W TDP, enabling dense consolidation in power-constrained racks.

Edge and network appliances: With 32 Gen 4 PCIe lanes and the Ice Lake-D architecture, this processor fits workloads requiring high I/O throughput, such as network function virtualization or storage controllers. The 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth supports fast packet processing and data ingestion.

Database and analytics servers: Multi-threaded SQL queries and data transformations will leverage the 40 threads effectively. The 30 MB L3 cache helps with moderate-sized working sets, though larger datasets will rely on the memory bandwidth.

Not for gaming or desktop use: The processor lacks integrated graphics and is socketed as Intel BGA 2579, which is not a consumer platform. Single-thread performance, capped at 3.10 GHz boost, is insufficient for high-refresh-rate gaming, and the server market segment targets different workloads.

Office and general productivity: Overkill for office tasks. The processor’s strengths lie in parallel workloads, so typical office applications will not utilize most of the core count, making it inefficient for such use cases.

How It Compares

The nearest rival data is not populated in the FACT PACK, so direct comparisons cannot be made numerically. However, the processor’s position at the 50th percentile among all CPUs provides a baseline: it sits in the middle of the performance distribution. Without rival scores, the analysis is limited to the internal characteristics. The 20-core count places it in the mid-range for server processors, below high-core-count parts (e.g., 32 or 64 cores) but above mainstream desktop chips. The 3.10 GHz boost clock is lower than many consumer CPUs, indicating that single-thread performance will be below average for the entire CPU pool.

Given the lack of nearestRivals data, no percentage deltas can be stated. The processor’s competitive standing must be inferred from its architecture and specifications: it is a 2022 release (February 23, 2022) with a $2159 launch MSRP, positioning it as a premium embedded/server part. The 10 nm process node from Intel suggests competitive power efficiency for its era, but the 125 W TDP is moderate for a 20-core part. Without rival scores, the practical takeaway is that the Xeon D-2798NT is a balanced mid-tier server chip, likely outperforming older 14 nm parts in multi-thread tasks but trailing newer high-core-count processors.

FAQ

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Xeon D-2798NT?

A: The launch MSRP is $2159.

Q: Does the processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: It provides 32 Gen 4 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the memory bandwidth?

A: The memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s with quad-channel DDR4 support.

Q: What is the boost clock speed?

A: The boost clock is 3.10 GHz.

Q: Is the processor unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK does not include specific benchmark scores or nearest rival data, so the analysis must rely on the processor’s percentile placement and architectural specifications. The 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs indicates that the Xeon D-2798NT performs at the median level across the entire spectrum of processors in the database. This is a meaningful data point: it suggests that in aggregate benchmark scores, this processor is neither a high-end performer nor a low-end option, but sits exactly in the middle.

Given the 20 cores and 40 threads, the multi-threaded performance should be substantial, likely placing the chip well above the 50th percentile in multi-core tests if such tests were available. However, the absence of benchmark data means the overall percentile is an average across all workloads, which is dragged down by the modest single-thread performance from the 3.10 GHz boost clock. For context, modern desktop CPUs often boost above 5.0 GHz, so the Xeon D-2798NT’s single-thread score would be significantly below that group, possibly pushing it toward the lower quartile in single-thread rankings.

The 125 W TDP is a key constraint. Sustained all-core operation at 3.10 GHz would require more power than the TDP suggests, so actual boost clocks will likely be lower under full load. This means multi-thread performance may not scale linearly with core count, as thermal throttling could reduce clocks. The 10 nm process helps efficiency, but the processor is not designed for peak burst performance.

Comparing to hypothetical rivals, the Xeon D-2798NT would likely be slower than AMD’s EPYC parts with higher core counts and similar TDPs in multi-thread tests, but it offers integrated I/O features and a lower power envelope for edge deployments. Without rival scores, the exact deltas are unknown, but the 50th percentile suggests it is competitive with mid-range server parts from its generation. The 30 MB L3 cache is moderate; larger caches on rival chips could give them an advantage in cache-sensitive workloads. The quad-channel memory bus provides 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, which is standard for its class but not exceptional.

In summary, the benchmark data is incomplete, but the processor’s specifications indicate a balanced mid-tier server CPU. The 50th percentile ranking is consistent with a 20-core part that offers strong multi-thread capability but lacks the single-thread speed of consumer chips. The lack of rival data prevents exact percentage comparisons, but the internal consistency of the design—20 cores, 40 threads, 30 MB L3, 125 W TDP—suggests a processor optimized for dense server deployments where power efficiency and I/O matter more than raw clock speed. Future benchmark updates would likely show a multi-thread score in the upper half of the database, with a single-thread score in the lower half, yielding the observed median overall placement.