Emerald Rapids
Intel's fifth-gen Xeon Scalable server processor for data centers.
Emerald Rapids is the codename for Intel’s fifth-generation Xeon Scalable server processors, manufactured on the Intel 7 node. These chips are built for data centers, while the roughly contemporary Raptor Lake family targets desktop and mobile systems. Nevine Nassif is the chief engineer for this generation.
Each package can hold up to 64 Raptor Cove CPU cores, arranged across a maximum of two tiles, with up to 32 cores per tile. The L3 cache has been increased to 5 MB per core, up from 1.875 MB in the previous Sapphire Rapids generation. Speed Select Technology allows for both high- and low-priority cores.
On the I/O side, Emerald Rapids supports up to eight channels of DDR5-5600 memory and provides up to 80 PCI Express 5.0 lanes.
The Emerald Rapids-SP (Scalable Performance) lineup includes several processor suffixes that indicate specific features or target workloads. CPUs listed in italics are actually Sapphire Rapids processors and retain the older 1.875 MB of L3 cache per core. The suffixes are as follows: “+” includes one each of the four accelerators (DSA, IAA, QAT, DLB); “H” targets database and analytics workloads, supports 4S (Xeon Gold) or 8S (Xeon Platinum) configurations, and includes all accelerators; “M” is for media transcoding; “N” for network, 5G, or edge workloads (high throughput and low latency, some uniprocessor); “P” for cloud and infrastructure-as-a-service workloads; “Q” for liquid cooling; “S” for storage and hyper-converged infrastructure; “T” for long-life use or high thermal case; “U” for uniprocessor systems (some workload-specific SKUs also use this); “V” optimized for cloud and software-as-a-service workloads (some uniprocessor); “Y” enables Speed Select Technology-Performance Profile (SST-PP), and “Y+” enables SST-PP and includes one of each accelerator.
Quick Facts
- Produced-Start
- 2023-12-14
- Soldby
- Intel
- Code
- 80722
- Slowest
- 1.9
- Slow-Unit
- GHz
- Fastest
- 4.2
- Qpi-Slowest
- 16
- Qpi-Fastest
- 20
- Qpi-Slow-Unit
- GT/s
- Application
- Server / Embedded
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Emerald Rapids succeeds Sapphire Rapids as Intel's fifth generation Xeon Scalable server processor family, fabricated on the Intel 7 node. It features up to 64 Raptor Cove CPU cores per package, arranged across up to two tiles with a maximum of 32 cores per tile—a reduction from the previous generation's tile count. The L3 cache per core is increased to 5 MB, compared to 1.875 MB in Sapphire Rapids. The processors include Speed Select Technology, which supports high and low priority cores. I/O capabilities include DDR5 memory support up to 8-channel DDR5-5600 and up to 80 PCI Express 5.0 lanes. A list of Emerald Rapids-SP (Scalable Performance) processors is documented, with some CPUs in italic actually being Sapphire Rapids processors retaining 1.875 MB of L3 cache per core. Various suffixes denote specific workload optimizations: + for accelerators (DSA, IAA, QAT, DLB); H for database and analytics; M for media transcode; N for network/5G/Edge; P for cloud/IaaS; Q for liquid cooling; S for storage/HCI; T for long-life/high thermal case; U for uniprocessor; V for cloud/SaaS; Y for Speed Select Technology-Performance Profile (SST-PP); and Y+ for SST-PP plus accelerators.
Reader's Guide
Emerald Rapids represents Intel's fifth generation Xeon Scalable server platform, notable for its increased L3 cache per core—5 MB versus 1.875 MB in Sapphire Rapids—and a reduced tile count (max two tiles) while supporting up to 64 Raptor Cove cores. Its significance lies in targeting data center workloads with DDR5-5600 memory and 80 PCIe 5.0 lanes, alongside Speed Select Technology for core prioritization. The extensive suffix system (H, M, N, P, Q, S, T, U, V, Y, Y+) tailors processors for specific tasks such as database analytics, media transcoding, network/5G/Edge, cloud IaaS, liquid cooling, storage, long-life use, uniprocessor configurations, and cloud SaaS. Some listed processors are actually Sapphire Rapids parts, indicated by italicization and retaining the older cache size. The generation's legacy is tied to its role as the server counterpart to Raptor Lake, with chief engineer Nevine Nassif overseeing development. The inclusion of accelerators (DSA, IAA, QAT, DLB) in certain SKUs further distinguishes workload-optimized variants.
Did You Know?
- Emerald Rapids is the fifth generation of Intel Xeon Scalable server processors.
- It uses the Intel 7 node and features up to 64 Raptor Cove cores.
- L3 cache per core is 5 MB, up from 1.875 MB in Sapphire Rapids.
- Some listed Emerald Rapids processors are actually Sapphire Rapids parts, retaining the older cache size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emerald Rapids?
Emerald Rapids is the internal codename Intel uses for its fifth-generation Xeon Scalable server processor line, built specifically for data center workloads rather than consumer desktops or laptops.
How many cores can a single Emerald Rapids package hold?
A single package can accommodate up to 64 Raptor Cove cores distributed across two tiles, with each tile carrying a maximum of 32 cores.
How does Emerald Rapids's L3 cache compare to Sapphire Rapids?
Each core in Emerald Rapids is allocated 5 MB of L3 cache, a substantial increase over the 1.875 MB per core that the prior Sapphire Rapids generation offered.
What process node is Emerald Rapids manufactured on?
The chips are fabricated using Intel's 7 process node.
Who is the chief engineer behind Emerald Rapids?
Nevine Nassif serves as the chief engineer leading the development of this generation of Xeon Scalable processors.
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