873376-L21 HPE Intel Xeon-Gold 6138 Synergy 480/660 Gen10 2.0GHz/20-core 125W Processor

HPE 873376-L21 Intel Xeon-Gold 6138 Purpose-built server processor

The HPE 873376-L21 Intel Xeon-Gold 6138 is a high-performance, 20-core processor engineered to deliver consistent throughput, enterprise-grade virtualization, and efficient multi-threading for HPE Synergy 480 and Synergy 660 Gen10 platforms. At a base clock of 2.0GHz and rated 125W, this Intel Xeon Gold 6138 SKU balances core density with thermal and power characteristics suitable for dense modular servers. Designed as an OEM-qualified replacement and upgrade option for compute-heavy workloads, it is frequently selected by system integrators, data center operators, and IT teams focused on consolidation, cloud-native services, and latency-sensitive applications.

Technical specifications overview

Processor core and frequency details

The Intel Xeon-Gold 6138 inside HPE 873376-L21 is a 20-core, 40-thread part thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading technology. With a base clock of 2.0 GHz, the CPU delivers stable per-core performance while supporting Intel Turbo Boost to increase single-threaded throughput when thermal and power headroom allow. This combination of many physical cores with aggressive thread scheduling makes the SKU a versatile option across mixed workloads — from highly-parallel tasks to latency-sensitive single-thread jobs.

Core topology and cache

Each processor core shares a multi-level cache hierarchy optimized for server workloads: sizable L3 cache to reduce memory access latency on frequently used data and an L2 cache per core to accelerate local execution. The on-chip cache architecture is tuned for multicore sharing patterns typical of virtualization and in-memory databases.

Memory and I/O capabilities

The HPE Synergy 480/660 Gen10 platforms paired with the Intel Xeon-Gold 6138 support multi-channel DDR4 memory configurations with high aggregate bandwidth. For memory-intensive applications — large database working sets, in-memory caches, and analytics — the ability to populate multiple DIMMs per channel yields both capacity and bandwidth advantages. Additionally, the processor's integrated memory controller and platform I/O lanes optimize throughput for NVMe, SAS, and Ethernet connectivity options commonly used in Synergy fabrics.

Key features that matter to buyers

Performance per watt and scalability

The 125W TDP rating positions the Intel Xeon Gold 6138 as a balanced choice in terms of performance-per-watt. In modular Synergy environments where thermal envelopes are constrained, the HPE 873376-L21 provides a predictable thermal profile, enabling denser compute configurations without sacrificing cooling stability. Scalability is achieved through multi-socket support on supported Synergy compute modules and through HPE’s composable infrastructure management tools for resource pooling.

Virtualization and cloud readiness

Built to run modern hypervisors and container orchestrators, this processor supports key virtualization technologies including Intel VT-x and VT-d for hardware-assisted virtualization and direct device assignment. These features help reduce overhead and improve VM performance. For organizations migrating to private cloud stacks or hybrid cloud architectures, HPE Synergy combined with the Xeon-Gold 6138 provides a reliable foundation for service elasticity and live migration tasks.

Reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS)

Enterprise-class RAS features are integral to the platform: memory error correction (ECC), advanced power management, and platform telemetry help maintain uptime in production environments. HPE’s integrated management stack adds remote monitoring, firmware orchestration, and firmware rollbacks which pair with the processor’s hardware capabilities to reduce unscheduled downtime and accelerate incident recovery.

Detailed technical deep-dive

Microarchitecture and instruction set

The Intel Xeon-Gold 6138 follows Intel’s server microarchitecture for the Skylake generation (server-class variants). It supports modern instruction set extensions useful in enterprise workloads — AVX/AVX2 for vectorized compute acceleration, AES-NI for crypto offload, and Intel Speed Shift for quicker frequency transitions. These instructions can accelerate database encryption, compression, and analytics kernels when software is compiled to leverage them.

Hardware acceleration features

AES-NI: hardware-accelerated encryption to reduce CPU cycles spent on TLS, disk encryption, and application-level crypto. AVX/AVX2: vector acceleration for scientific computations, media processing, and data analytics.

Thermal design and power management

The 125W thermal design profile allows data center planners to estimate rack-level cooling and power density. For Synergy articulated compute modules, HPE provides cooling profiles and validated configurations that include fan speed curves and thermal throttling thresholds. Intelligent power management features in the platform help dynamically scale frequency and voltage according to workload demand to keep thermal output within safe bounds.

Practical advice: thermal considerations

When deploying multiple HPE 873376-L21 processors in a single Synergy frame, follow HPE’s placement and airflow guidance. Keep high-power modules paired with adequate cooling zones and avoid populating adjacent high-heat components without sufficient intake/exhaust balance.

Compatibility and integration with HPE Synergy

Synergy 480 and Synergy 660 — what to expect

The HPE 873376-L21 is validated for HPE Synergy 480 and Synergy 660 Gen10 compute modules. These blades and cartridges are architected to support dual-socket configurations, shared fabric, and HPE’s composable management. If you operate a Synergy infrastructure, consider this processor for seamless firmware, BIOS compatibility, and validated driver stacks that HPE publishes in its interoperability documentation.

Management and firmware

HPE OneView and HPE Image Streamer are commonly used to manage Synergy environments. The HPE 873376-L21 works with these tools to provide firmware compliance, intelligent provisioning, and lifecycle automation. Regular firmware updates from HPE ensure microcode improvements and stability patches for the processor.

Real-world performance workloads and benchmarks

Database and analytics

In database workloads, the Xeon Gold 6138 demonstrates strong concurrency handling thanks to 20 physical cores. When paired with fast memory and NVMe storage, transactional throughput (*TPS*) and query response times improve, particularly for mixed read/write workloads that scale across parallel execution threads. For in-memory analytics, the available memory channels and cache structure reduce latencies for hotspot data sets.

Compute- and vector-heavy applications

Applications that leverage AVX/AVX2 can see measurable acceleration for vectorized calculations. When the application uses wide vectors and math-heavy kernels, check thermal headroom because vector units can drive increased power consumption under sustained load. Replace or upgrade processors only when following HPE's service manuals for Synergy compute modules. Use ESD protection, follow torque specs for socket retention mechanisms, and ensure proper thermal interface material application. Confirm that the compute module BIOS is set to the recommended defaults for new CPU types before loading production workloads.

Firmware and Microcode

Keep microcode and platform firmware current. Microcode updates from Intel distributed via HPE firmware packages address security mitigations and stability. HPE One View can orchestrate bundled firmware updates across a Synergy environment to minimize manual intervention and ensure compatibility.

Spare parts and procurement considerations

When procuring HPE 873376-L21 processors as spares or upgrades, purchase through authorized HPE channels or certified resellers to guarantee warranty coverage and firmware compatibility. Consider buying replacement heat sinks and retention hardware with the processor to accelerate field swaps. For critical environments, maintain a small inventory of validated spares to minimize downtime.

Power, cooling, and environmental considerations

Power budgeting and rack planning

Because the XEON-Gold 6138 consumes up to 125W per CPU under typical workload peaks, calculate rack power budgets conservatively — include power for storage, networking, and cooling overhead. Use HPE rack planning guides and the Synergy power calculator to model steady-state and peak draws.

Environmental and compliance notes

HPE tests Synergy platforms under multiple environmental standards. Ensure your data center meets ambient temperature and humidity specifications to avoid thermal throttling. For regulated industries, check environmental compliance certifications relevant to your region and workload. The Intel Xeon-Gold 6138 supports hardware-level security extensions such as Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) and Intel SGX (where available in the product family), enabling secure enclaves and measured boot capabilities. HPE complements these with platform-level secure firmware, secure boot, and system management features that help protect data at rest and in transit.

Telemetry and predictive maintenance

HPE remote management exposes per-CPU telemetry (temperatures, power draw, frequency states) enabling predictive maintenance and proactive remediation. Leverage telemetry to detect anomalous behavior — for example, sustained high temperatures indicative of cooling issues or frequent turbo transitions that suggest power or firmware updates are required.

Procurement, lifecycle and total cost of ownership (TCO)

Licensing, ROI and consolidation

When evaluating TCO, consider software licensing models tied to processor cores or sockets. The 20-core configuration may affect per-core licensed software pricing; compare consolidation scenarios (fewer larger VMs vs. many smaller VMs) to optimize license spend. Factoring in power, cooling, and management overhead yields a more accurate ROI estimate versus raw hardware price alone.

Comparison and alternatives

Alternative upgrade paths

If workloads demand more cores or higher memory bandwidth, evaluate higher-tier Xeon models or dual-socket configurations. Conversely, if per-thread single-core speed is the priority, compare with higher-frequency SKUs at an increased TDP. Always validate alternative SKUs for HPE Synergy compatibility before purchase.

Optimized page snippets for SERP visibility

Use short, keyword-rich sentences in meta descriptions and product teasers: e.g., "HPE 873376-L21 — Intel Xeon-Gold 6138, 20-core 2.0GHz processor for Synergy 480/660 Gen10: enterprise virtualization, balanced 125W TDP, validated for HPE Synergy platforms.

Use case scenarios and deployment patterns

Private cloud and virtualization farms

Deploy HPE 873376-L21 in virtualization hosts that require many medium-sized VMs. The CPU’s threading and cache structure help sustain typical enterprise mixed workloads while maximizing consolidation ratios when paired with abundant memory and fast local NVMe storage.

Database tiering and in-memory caches

Use this SKU for database front-ends and middle-tier cache layers that prioritize concurrency. When used with fast interconnects and memory-optimized configurations, the processor lowers transaction response times and improves cache hit ratios.

Dev/test and CI/CD infrastructure

For continuous integration pipelines and ephemeral test environments, the Xeon Gold 6138 gives a cost-effective balance — more cores help parallel builds and test runners, shortening cycle times for dev teams.

Content for technical pages and category microcopy

Longer help text for product pages

Provide the practical benefits: "This Intel Xeon-Gold 6138 SKU offers enterprise-class performance and hardware virtualization support ideal for Synergy compute nodes executing mixed cloud and database workloads. Pair with HPE One View for streamlined lifecycle management.

Boot and POST issues

If a Synergy compute module fails POST after installing the HPE 873376-L21, re-check BIOS compatibility, ensure the microcode bundle is applied, and confirm proper seating of the CPU and heatsink. Inspect one-time event logs from iLO or HPE management modules for firmware-related errors.

Performance anomalies

High sustained CPU temperatures, erratic turbo behavior, or inconsistent IPC may indicate improper thermal interface application, inadequate chassis airflow, or mismatched memory population. Use HPE diagnostic utilities and monitor CPU telemetry to isolate root causes.

Schema and metadata recommendations

Use structured data (Product and Offer schema) to surface price, availability, and aggregate ratings. Include canonical links, descriptive meta descriptions containing targeted phrases like "HPE 873376-L21 Intel Xeon-Gold 6138", and alt text for any images referencing Synergy chassis and CPU components.

Further reading and resources

Encourage users to consult HPE interoperability matrices, official product briefs, and community-driven benchmark posts to make an informed procurement decision. Link to firmware release notes and HPE Synergy installation guides for step-by-step instructions when performing upgrades or replacements.