Intel Xeon Phi 7210

Intel Xeon Phi 7210 is a 64-core, 256-thread Knights Landing processor built on Intel’s 14 nm process, targeting the Server/Workstation segment. Its benchmark profile is defined by a stark contrast: massive parallel throughput in heavily threaded workloads, but single-core scores that lag far behind modern mainstream desktop parts. The data places it at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 29245, yet its real-world usability depends almost entirely on software that can exploit its 256 threads.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is extreme. In Cinebench R15, the chip scores 88 points in single-core and 625 in multi-core — a ratio of roughly 7.1x, which is modest for a chip with 256 threads, indicating poor scaling at this workload’s size. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 367, while multi-core reaches 2608, a 7.1x multiplier again. Cinebench R23 shows 876 single-core and 6210 multi-core, a 7.1x ratio as well. These consistent ratios suggest that the processor’s scaling efficiency plateaus quickly, likely due to the low base clock of 1300 MHz and boost clock of 1500 MHz.

For real workloads, this means the Xeon Phi 7210 excels in tasks that can be decomposed into many independent parallel threads, such as scientific simulations, rendering, or data processing. However, any workload with serial dependencies or low thread counts will see performance comparable to a much older mainstream chip. The Passmark single-thread score of 460 reinforces this: it is far below what modern desktop processors achieve, and the Passmark physics score of 198 indicates weak per-core throughput. Conversely, the Passmark multithread score of 7306 shows the aggregate capability, but the ratio to single-thread (460) is only 15.9x — far from the theoretical 256x, meaning most synthetic benchmarks cannot feed all threads effectively.

The data implies that users must prioritize parallelizable code. For interactive use, web browsing, or office documents, the single-core deficit will dominate. For batch processing, the multi-core results are competitive, but only when the software scales beyond 16-32 threads.

How It Compares

Intel Core i7-12650H: This mobile processor has an average benchmark score of 29271, which is 0.1% higher than the Xeon Phi 7210’s 29245 (deltaPct -0.1). The two are effectively tied in aggregate, but the Core i7 achieves this with far fewer cores and much higher clock speeds. In single-thread tests, the Core i7 will vastly outperform the Xeon Phi, but in heavily threaded workloads, the Xeon Phi’s 256 threads can match or exceed it, depending on scaling.

Intel Core i9-13900H: With an average score of 29208, this chip is 0.1% behind the Xeon Phi 7210 (deltaPct 0.1). The performance gap is negligible in aggregate, but the Core i9-13900H is a laptop part with significantly higher boost clocks and far better single-core efficiency. The Xeon Phi only pulls ahead in workloads that can utilize more than 20 threads, where its core count becomes an advantage.

Intel Core i5-13500T: This low-power desktop chip scores 29158 on average, which is 0.3% lower than the Xeon Phi 7210 (deltaPct 0.3). The Xeon Phi edges out the Core i5 in aggregate, but the Core i5’s single-thread performance is dramatically better. The Xeon Phi’s victory is purely a function of thread count, and only in scaling workloads does it justify its presence.

AMD Ryzen 7 3800X: The Ryzen 7 3800X averages 29385, which is 0.5% higher than the Xeon Phi 7210 (deltaPct -0.5). This is the closest rival in aggregate, yet the architectures are opposites. The Ryzen 7 has 8 cores with high clocks, while the Xeon Phi has 64 cores with low clocks. In single-thread tasks, the Ryzen 7 dominates; in multi-thread tasks, the Xeon Phi may win only if the workload scales beyond 16 threads, which is rare for consumer software.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6210 places the Xeon Phi 7210 in a strange position. Compared to its nearest rivals, this score is roughly consistent with their aggregate averages, but the composition differs. For instance, the Core i7-12650H has a similar average score (29271 vs 29245), yet its Cinebench R23 multi-core would be much higher per-core due to higher clocks. The Xeon Phi’s 6210 score is produced by 256 threads at 1500 MHz boost, meaning each thread contributes only about 24 points — a low per-thread yield.

The Passmark integer math score of 84874 is substantial, showing strength in parallel integer operations. Floating point math scores 29356, which is lower than integer, but still respectable. Data compression scores 332960, indicating good throughput for parallel compression algorithms. Data encryption scores 3455, which is low — likely due to the lack of high-speed single-thread performance for cryptographic workloads. Extended instructions score 18359, showing support for AVX-512 and similar, but the low clock limits peak throughput. Random string sorting scores 8956, a moderate value.

Find prime numbers scores 10, which is extremely low, suggesting that this workload does not scale well across the 256 threads and is bottlenecked by single-thread speed. This is a critical weakness: many real-world algorithms have serial components that will drag down overall performance. The single-thread Passmark score of 460 confirms that the Xeon Phi 7210 is roughly 5-6x slower than a modern desktop CPU in single-thread tasks, which explains why its aggregate score is only average despite having 64 cores.

The percentile rank of 86 means it outperforms 86% of all CPUs in aggregate, but that statistic is misleading for most users because the benchmark suite weights multithreaded performance heavily. In practice, the Xeon Phi 7210 is a niche part that shines only in specific high-throughput scenarios.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Xeon Phi 7210?

A: It has 64 cores and 256 threads, based on the Knights Landing architecture.

Q: How does its single-core performance compare to its multi-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R23, it scores 876 single-core and 6210 multi-core, a ratio of about 7.1x. The Passmark single-thread score is 460, while the multithread score is 7306.

Q: What is the processor’s clock speed range?

A: The base clock is 1300 MHz and the boost clock is 1500 MHz.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, and the memory type is DDR4.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 3647.

Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile?

A: The average benchmark score is 29245, placing it at the 86th percentile of all CPUs.

Power and Thermals

The TDP is 215 watts, which is a high value that indicates this is a power-hungry server processor. This TDP class requires robust cooling — a capable air cooler with a large heatsink and high static pressure fans, or a liquid cooling solution, is necessary for sustained operation. The low clock speeds (1300 MHz base, 1500 MHz boost) help mitigate heat generation, but with 64 cores active, the thermal density is still significant. In a server chassis, this typically means actively cooled heatsinks or high-flow rack environments. The 14 nm process node from Intel does not offer the efficiency of newer 7 nm or 5 nm parts, so the 215 W TDP is expected for this generation. Users should plan for adequate case airflow and consider that the processor will run hot under full load, potentially reaching high temperatures without proper cooling.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Xeon Phi 7210 uses Intel Socket 3647, which is a server-grade socket designed for high-core-count Xeon Phi and Xeon Scalable processors. It supports DDR4 memory with ECC capability, which is essential for reliability in workstation and server workloads. The architecture is Knights Landing, which is a self-booting processor — it does not require a separate chipset for basic operation, but it does need a motherboard with the correct socket and BIOS support. PCIe support is present but not specified in the data, so expansion capabilities are limited to what the platform provides. The upgrade path is narrow: this socket is tied to the Knights Landing generation, so users cannot move to a newer architecture without changing the motherboard. The processor has a part number of SR2MESR2X4 and was released on 2016-06-19. With a production status not specified, it is likely a discontinued or niche product. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means overclocking is not supported, and the base and boost clocks are fixed.

Who Should Consider It

The Intel Xeon Phi 7210 is for users who run massively parallel workloads that can scale across 256 threads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6210, which is competitive with mainstream processors in aggregate, but its single-core score of 876 is far below any modern desktop chip. For gaming, this processor is unsuitable — the Passmark single-thread score of 460 and physics score of 198 indicate that game engines, which rely on a few fast cores, will perform poorly. For content creation, the data shows mixed results: rendering tasks that scale well will benefit from the 64 cores, but tasks like video encoding that have serial stages will be bottlenecked. For office work, the single-core deficit makes it a poor choice; even basic productivity applications will feel sluggish compared to a modern quad-core.

The Passmark data compression score of 332960 and integer math score of 84874 suggest strong performance in data-intensive server tasks like compression, sorting, or scientific computing. The floating point score of 29356 is lower but still usable for simulation workloads. However, the low encryption score of 3455 and prime number score of 10 indicate that cryptography and certain mathematical algorithms are not well-suited to this architecture. The processor is best suited for batch processing, high-throughput computing, or as a compute node in a cluster, where the 215 W TDP is acceptable and the 256 threads can be fully utilized. It is not a general-purpose CPU; it is a specialized accelerator that requires careful software tuning to extract value.