Intel Xeon Phi 7250

The Intel Xeon Phi 7250 is a server/workstation processor built on the Knights Landing architecture, packing 68 cores and 272 threads. With a 50th percentile standing among all CPUs in the database, it represents a median performer overall, but its architecture is clearly optimized for throughput rather than raw clock speed. The data indicates a part designed for high-density parallel compute, not for typical desktop workloads.

Who Should Consider It

The 68 cores and 272 threads make this processor a candidate for workloads that scale linearly with core count. Scientific simulation, financial modeling, and data processing tasks that can utilize massive thread parallelism will see the most benefit. The 1400 MHz base clock and 1600 MHz boost clock are modest, so workloads that depend on single-thread speed will not be well served. The presence of 32 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core provides a substantial per-core cache hierarchy for working sets that fit locally. With ECC memory support, it suits error-sensitive server environments. No integrated graphics means it requires a discrete GPU for display output, and gaming is not a target segment. Office productivity suites, which typically rely on high single-thread performance, will underperform on this chip. The 50th percentile overall ranking suggests that in the broader CPU landscape, it is not a top-tier performer, but its specific niche is high-throughput, many-threaded server applications. For a system integrator building a compute node for a cluster, the 272 threads offer exceptional density per socket. For a workstation user running interactive applications, the low clock speeds would be a severe handicap.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses Intel Socket 3647, a platform designed for high-end server and workstation parts. Memory support is DDR4, and ECC memory is enabled, which is critical for data integrity in long-running compute tasks. The architecture is Knights Landing, a distinct design from Intel's mainstream cores, and the generation is listed as Xeon Phi (Knights Landing). The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible. The process node is 14 nm, with 8,000 million transistors, indicating a dense, high-core-count die. The release date is 2016-06-19. No PCIe information is provided in the data, so expansion capabilities cannot be assessed from this pack. The part number is SR2MDSR2X1. The memory bus width and bandwidth are not specified, so the actual memory throughput potential cannot be quantified, but the support for DDR4 and ECC is confirmed. The lack of an integrated GPU means a discrete graphics card is mandatory for any visual output. The platform is clearly a server-grade socket, not a mainstream desktop interface, so motherboard selection is limited to workstation or server boards that support Socket 3647.

Power and Thermals

The thermal design power (TDP) is 215 watts. This is a high TDP, implying that a robust cooling solution is necessary. A capable air cooler or a liquid cooling loop would be appropriate for a processor of this class. The 14 nm process node and 8,000 million transistors contribute to the power draw. The modest clock speeds (1400 MHz base, 1600 MHz boost) help manage thermals under all-core loads, but the sheer number of active cores (68) means power density is significant. In a server chassis, this typically requires high-static-pressure fans and careful airflow design. The data does not specify a cooler in the box, so the system integrator must plan for adequate thermal dissipation. The 215-watt TDP is a critical specification for chassis selection, as it dictates the minimum cooling capacity required. The 14 nm process node is relatively mature for the 2016 release date, and the 8,000 million transistor count is a direct result of the 68-core design. Thermal throttling would likely occur if the cooling solution is undersized, given the sustained all-core load that this processor is designed to handle.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK provides no nearest rival data for the Intel Xeon Phi 7250. Its percentileVsAllCpus of 50 indicates that it sits exactly at the midpoint of the database's CPU rankings, meaning half of all processors score higher and half score lower. Without specific rival scores or deltaPct values, a direct comparison against named products is not possible from the available data. The average benchmark score is 0, which serves as a placeholder rather than a measured result. Therefore, its position is best understood as a median performer overall, with its extreme core count and thread count (68 cores, 272 threads) being the primary differentiators against mainstream parts, which typically have far fewer cores and higher clock speeds. The low clock speeds (1400 MHz base) suggest that single-thread comparisons against high-frequency desktop processors would likely be unfavorable, but multi-thread throughput is where this part is designed to excel. The lack of rival data means that any relative performance claims must be based solely on the 50th percentile figure, which is a global average rather than a targeted comparison. This percentile does not reveal how it stacks up against specific competing server processors, only that it lands in the middle of the entire database.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is stark. The base clock is 1400 MHz, and the boost clock is 1600 MHz. These are low frequencies compared to typical desktop or even server processors, which often have higher clock speeds. Consequently, single-thread performance will be limited. The 272 threads across 68 cores provide a massive amount of parallel execution capacity. For workloads that can be decomposed into many independent tasks, the aggregate throughput will be very high. However, for tasks with a serial dependency chain, the low clock speed will be a bottleneck. The 32 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core provide fast access to local data, which helps mitigate some latency, but the fundamental clock limitation remains. The data indicates a processor that is overwhelmingly biased toward multi-threaded scaling, with single-thread performance as a secondary concern. The boost clock of 1600 MHz is a modest increase over the 1400 MHz base, so the processor does not have a large dynamic range for transient single-thread bursts. This design philosophy prioritizes consistent, high-throughput parallel execution over responsiveness in latency-sensitive tasks.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Xeon Phi 7250 use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 3647.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 68 cores and 272 threads.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The thermal design power is 215 watts.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported.

Q: What is the process node?

A: The process node is 14 nm.

Q: When was it released?

A: The release date is 2016-06-19.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Intel Xeon Phi 7250 is sparse. The benchmarks array is empty, and the average benchmark score is 0. The only quantitative performance indicator is the percentileVsAllCpus value of 50, which places it at the median of all CPUs in the database. This means that in the aggregate, it outperforms half of all processors and underperforms the other half. However, this percentile is a global metric that weights all workloads equally. Given the 68-core, 272-thread configuration, the processor's multi-threaded performance is likely to be far above its single-threaded performance. The 1400 MHz base and 1600 MHz boost clocks are low, so any benchmark that is latency-sensitive or single-threaded will show a poor result. Conversely, benchmarks that scale with thread count, such as rendering or scientific computation, will benefit from the massive parallelism. Without nearestRivals data, no exact percentage deltas can be calculated. The data suggests a part that is a specialist tool: its median overall percentile masks its extreme suitability for a narrow class of highly parallel workloads, and its poor suitability for general-purpose or single-threaded tasks. The 50th percentile is a single data point, and the empty benchmark array means that no specific workload scores are available to refine this picture. The absence of any measured scores forces reliance on the architectural characteristics—68 cores, 272 threads, and low clocks—to infer performance behavior.