Intel Xeon 6979P Processor
Intel Xeon 6979P Processor
The Intel Xeon 6979P is a server/workstation processor with 120 cores, launched in September 2024, at an MSRP of $11025. It is part of the Xeon 6 lineup, using the Granite Rapids-AP architecture with Socket 7529. Thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading the core-count is effectively doubled, to 240 threads. To further increase overall system performance, up to two Xeon 6979P CPUs can link up in a multi-processor (SMP) configuration. Xeon 6979P has 504 MB of L3 cache and operates at 2.1 GHz by default, but can boost up to 3.9 GHz, depending on the workload. Intel is building the Xeon 6979P on a 5 nm production process, the transistor count is unknown. The multiplier is locked on Xeon 6979P, which limits its overclocking capabilities.
With a TDP of 500 W, the Xeon 6979P is extremely power hungry, which means you need top-notch cooling. Intel’s processor supports DDR5 memory with a twelve-channel interface. The highest officially supported memory speed is 6400 MT/s. ECC memory is supported, too, which is an important capability for mission-critical systems, to avoid data corruption. For communication with other components in the machine, Xeon 6979P uses a PCI-Express Gen 5 connection. This processor lacks integrated graphics, you might need a graphics card.
Hardware virtualization is available on the Xeon 6979P, which greatly improves virtual machine performance. Additionally, IOMMU virtualization (PCI passthrough) is supported, so that guest virtual machines may directly use host hardware. Programs using Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) will run on this processor, boosting performance for calculation-heavy applications. Besides AVX, Intel has added support for the newer AVX2 and AVX-512 instructions, too.
Intel® Xeon® 6979P Processor
| Essentials | |
|---|---|
| Product Collection | Intel® Xeon® 6 processors |
| Code Name | Products formerly Granite Rapids |
| Vertical Segment | Server |
| Processor Number | 6979P |
| Lithography | Intel 3 |
| CPU Specifications | |
| Total Cores | 120 |
| Total Threads | 240 |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 3.9 GHz |
| All Core Turbo Frequency | 3.2 GHz |
| Processor Base Frequency | 2.1 GHz |
| Cache | 504 MB |
| Intel® UPI Speed | 24 GT/s |
| Max # of UPI Links | 6 |
| TDP | 500 W |
| Supplemental Information | |
| Marketing Status | Launched |
| Launch Date | Q3’24 |
| Embedded Options Available | No |
| Memory Specifications | |
| Max Memory Size | 3 TB |
| Memory Types | DDR5 (6400MT/s), MRDIMM (8800MT/s) |
| Maximum Memory Speed | 8800 MT/s |
| Max # of Memory Channels | 12 |
| ECC Memory Supported | Yes |
| Expansion Options | |
| Scalability | 2S |
| PCI Express Revision | 5.0 |
| Max # of PCI Express Lanes | 96 |
| Package Specifications | |
| Sockets Supported | FCLGA7529 |
| Package Carrier | BR1A |
| DTS Max | 95 °C |
| TCASE | 80 °C |
| Package Size | 104.5mm x 70.5mm |
| Advanced Technologies | |
| Intel® QuickAssist Technology (QAT) | 4 default devices |
| Intel® Dynamic Load Balancer (DLB) | 4 default devices |
| Intel® Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA) | 4 default devices |
| Intel® In-memory Analytics Accelerator (IAA) | 4 default devices |
| Intel® Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX) | Yes |
| Intel® Speed Select Technology – Core Power | Yes |
| Intel® Speed Select Technology – Turbo Frequency | Yes |
| Intel® Deep Learning Boost (Intel® DL Boost) | Yes |
| Intel® Speed Select Technology – Performance Profile | No |
| Intel® Speed Select Technology – Base Frequency | Yes |
| High Priority Cores | 39 |
| High Priority Core Frequency | 2.3 GHz |
| Low Priority Cores | 81 |
| Low Priority Core Frequency | 1.9 GHz |
| Intel® Resource Director Technology | Yes |
| Intel® Speed Shift Technology | Yes |
| Intel® Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 |
| Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology | Yes |
| Intel® Transactional Synchronization Extensions | Yes |
| Intel® 64 | Yes |
| Instruction Set Extensions | Intel® AMX, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512 |
| # of AVX-512 FMA Units | 2 |
| Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD) | Yes |
| Security & Reliability | |
| Intel® Trust Domain Extensions | Yes |
| Intel® Secure Key | Yes |
| Intel® Crypto Acceleration | Yes |
| Intel® QuickAssist Software Acceleration | Yes |
| Intel® Platform Firmware Resilience Support | Yes |
| Intel® Control-Flow Enforcement Technology | Yes |
| Intel® Total Memory Encryption – Multi Key | Yes |
| Intel® Total Memory Encryption | Yes |
| Intel® AES New Instructions | Yes |
| Intel® Software Guard Extensions | Yes |
| Default Maximum Enclave Page Cache | 512 GB |
| Intel® OS Guard | Yes |
| Intel® Trusted Execution Technology | Yes |
| Execute Disable Bit | Yes |
| Intel® Boot Guard | Yes |
| Intel® Run Sure Technology | Yes |
| Mode-based Execute Control (MBEC) | Yes |
| Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) | Yes |
| Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) | Yes |
| Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT) | Yes |
