3.5GHz-24GT-UPI

The Intel Xeon 8‑Core 3.5 GHz 24 GT/s UPI processor class provides a niche yet powerful solution in Intel’s Scalable Xeon series. Blending a responsive 3.5 GHz base clock with eight physical cores (16 threads via Hyper‑Threading) and Intel’s 24 GT/s Ultra Path Interconnect (UPI), this subcategory offers strong single-thread performance, solid multithreading, and efficient multi‑socket communication. It serves as an ideal bridge between entry‑level server CPUs and high‑core-count datacenter powerhouse chips. Whether deployed as front‑end microservices nodes, real‑time analytics servers, VDI hosts, or performance‑sensitive edge compute engines, these CPUs shine where core efficiency and latency matter most.

Overview of Xeon 8‑Core 3.5 GHz 24 GT/s UPI Processors

Positioned for workloads that benefit from higher clock speeds, Xeon 8‑Core 3.5 GHz CPUs deliver predictable single‑thread response times while providing moderate parallelism. The inclusion of 24 GT/s UPI interconnects enables dual‑socket configurations with low‑latency data sharing, useful in clustered or redundant setups.

Technical Specifications & Architectural Highlights

• 8 physical cores / 16 threads with Hyper‑Threading
• Base clock: 3.5 GHz; turbo boost up to ~4.2–4.5 GHz
• Intel Smart Cache: ~16–24 MB L3 shared cache
• UPI interconnect: 24 GT/s for dual‑socket coherence
• Memory support: 4–6‑channel DDR4/DDR5 ECC, up to 1 TB per socket
• PCIe lanes: Up to 48 Gen 4.0 lanes
• TDP: 115 – 150 W, model‑dependent
• Sockets: LGA 4189 or equivalent

Architectural Design & Fabric Interconnect

Built on Intel’s 10 nm “Ice Lake” or Intel 7 “Sapphire Rapids” architectures, these CPUs leverage mesh interconnect and UPI lanes to maintain cache coherence and efficient load distribution in multi‑socket systems. These platforms include accelerators such as AVX‑512 and Deep Learning Boost (VNNI), providing strong performance for analytics and AI inference.

Cache & Memory Subsystem

Caching architecture includes L1 for immediate access, L2 per core, and ~16–24 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is ample—4–6‑channel setups provide ~100–150 GB/s of throughput, depending on configuration—supporting VDI, in‑memory databases, and real‑time data processing.

Memory & Cache Advantages

• Moderate L3 cache reduces repetitive data fetch latency
• High memory bandwidth accelerates I/O‑heavy and analytics workloads
• ECC memory ensures data integrity in critical compute
• NUMA‑aware design when paired in dual‑socket systems

Performance in Real‑World Scenarios

Xeon 8‑Core 3.5 GHz processors are tailored for workloads that demand responsiveness as well as moderate parallelism. Their high clock speeds make them particularly well-suited for edge computing, database front‑ends, real‑time inference, and dedicated service nodes.

Database Front‑End Servers & Caching Layers

SAP HANA, Redis, or MySQL instances benefit from consistent high-frequency cores, reducing query latency. These CPUs can also serve edge caching roles in CDNs or web platforms, accelerating responsiveness for global users.

VDI & Desktop Virtualization

With faster cores, these Xeons deliver low-latency desktop experiences. Host 10–50 moderate‑density virtual desktops or pooled sessions with smooth performance under fluctuating user demand.

Edge Compute & IoT Data Aggregation

Ideal for edge environments—telecom base stations, factory gateways, or smart‑city sensors—these units provide fast compute cycles, UPI‑enabled redundancy, and reliability.

AI Inference and Analytics Tasks

Support for AVX‑512 and Deep Learning Boost enables CPU‑based inference work without GPU dependencies. Suitable for real‑time image classification, local neural‑net pipelines, and streaming analytics tasks.

Security, RAS & Enterprise‑Grade Reliability

Built for secure and stable operations:

Security Technologies

• Intel SGX for isolated enclave execution
• Boot Guard and BIOS Guard to protect firmware
• Total Memory Encryption (TME)
• AES‑NI and SHA instruction accelerators

Reliability & Serviceability Features

• ECC memory and parity checking
• Machine Check Architecture (MCA) for fault monitoring
• Intel Run Sure Technology for pre‑failure detection
• Thermal sensors and dynamic core throttling

Power, Thermal & Efficiency Considerations

These CPUs strike a favorable balance between powerful cores and waste heat:

Thermal Design Power (TDP)

• Models range from 115 W to 150 W
• Efficient for 1U or edge systems, compatible with air and liquid cooling

Energy‑Efficient Features

• Per‑core power gating and dynamic voltage frequency scaling (DVFS)
• Support for Intel Speed Select Technology
• ASHRAE and ENERGY‑STAR® friendly

Platform Integration & Ecosystem Support

Socket & Chipset Compatibility

• Sockets: LGA 4189 or equivalent
• Chipsets: Intel C621A, C741 and higher
• PCIe Gen 4.x lanes and UPI link readiness
• Modular firmware supporting fast updates with Boot Guard

Expansion & I/O Capability

• Up to 48 PCIe lanes for NVMe, GPUs, NICs
• High‑speed network support: 25/50/100 GbE
• NVMe RAID and advanced storage options

Deployment Contexts & Industry Use Cases

These processors span various sectors:

• Telecom/Edge: low-latency packet processing & caching
• Retail: POS terminals, inventory databases
• Healthcare: local PACS server, DICOM preview services
• Education: lab servers, local analytics nodes
• Media: real‑time video encode/transcode engines

Comparative Positioning & SKU Guidance

The 8‑core 3.5 GHz Xeon offers a sweet spot vs. 6‑core consumer CPUs and higher‑core data center CPUs. For example:

Featured SKUs

• Intel Xeon Gold 5330T: 8 cores @ 3.5 GHz, TDP ≥ 125 W
• Intel Xeon Bronze 3108: affordable 3.5 GHz base frequency in dual‑socket systems
• Intel Xeon Gold 5330Y: performance‑tuned, high frequency in constrained TDP

SKU Selection by Use Case

• Low‑latency web nodes: 5330T for fast single‑thread response
• Edge micro‑servers: Bronze 3108 for efficiency in field racks
• VDI hosts: 5330Y for rapid session provisioning and response

Powering Future Infrastructure

8‑Core 3.5 GHz Xeons continue Intel’s commitment to scalable and responsive compute. They align with future memory, PCIe, and security standards—offering a strong base for edge, AI, and latency‑critical services. With broad vendor support and upgrade pathways, they remain relevant in evolving system architectures.