P12010-001 HPE FC-LGA14B Intel Xeon Gold 22 Core 6238 30.25M 2.10GHz 140W Processor.

Product Overview — HPE P12010-001 (FC-LGA14B) Intel® Xeon® Gold 6238

The HPE P12010-001 is a high-performance enterprise processor module built around the Intel® Xeon® Gold 6238 CPU. Designed for demanding data-center workloads, this model pairs multi-core throughput with enterprise reliability for cloud, virtualization, analytics, and mission-critical server applications. Below you'll find an in-depth, search-optimized description that highlights specifications, real-world use cases, installation and tuning guidance, compatibility notes, thermal and power considerations, comparison pointers, and frequently asked questions — all presented using synonyms and unordered lists to improve discoverability.

Core Specifications and Technical

At its core, the HPE P12010-001 packs significant compute resources tailored to scale in HPE ProLiant systems. The essential attributes are summarized for quick reference:

• Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Part Number: P12010-001
• CPU Model: Intel® Xeon® Gold 6238
• Core Count: 22 cores (multicore architecture)
• Base Clock Speed: 2.10 GHz
• Max Turbo Frequency: Up to 3.70 GHz (single- or lightly threaded bursts)
• Last-Level Cache: 30.25 MB L3 cache
• TDP (Thermal Design Power): 140 W
• Socket / Package: FC-LGA14B
• Microarchitecture / Family: Cascade Lake

Architecture and Microarchitecture Benefits

The Cascade Lake microarchitecture delivers incremental IPC improvements, enhanced memory latency handling, and platform features targeted at enterprise workloads. The Xeon Gold 6238 benefits from:

• Large shared L3 cache to improve performance on data-intensive operations.
• Hardware-level mitigations and platform stability for sustained server operation.
• Support for advanced memory configurations and high memory bandwidth per socket.

Intended Server Platforms and Compatibility

This P/N is validated for multiple HPE ProLiant Gen10 chassis. Confirmed compatible enclosures include:

• HPE ProLiant BL460c Gen10 (blade) — ideal for dense, modular environments
• HPE ProLiant DL160 Gen10 (rack) — cost-effective general purpose rack server
• HPE ProLiant DL180 Gen10 (rack) — balanced compute/storage configurations
• HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 (rack) — two-socket performance in 1U form factor
• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 (rack) — versatile 2U platform for enterprise use
• HPE ProLiant DL580 Gen10 (rack) — high-availability, scalable four-socket configurations (verify platform support for single/double socket use cases)

When planning an upgrade or replacement, always consult the server’s hardware compatibility matrix and the HPE Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) to ensure BIOS, firmware, and driver support for the Xeon Gold 6238.

Performance Characteristics and Workload Suitability

The Xeon Gold 6238 in the P12010-001 configuration is tailored for a wide range of enterprise workloads. Its 22 physical cores and large cache make it effective for parallel processing and multi-threaded applications. Typical workloads where this CPU excels include:

• Virtualization farms and hypervisor hosts (VM density and consolidation)
• Database engines (OLTP/OLAP) requiring sustained memory bandwidth
• Business intelligence and ETL pipelines
• In-memory analytics and caching layers (Redis, Memcached, SAP HANA preparatory stages)
• High-performance web services and microservices at scale
• Scientific computing and batch processing where multi-thread scaling matters

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Performance

Although the base frequency is a moderate 2.10 GHz, the chip supports dynamic boosting to 3.70 GHz for single-threaded spikes. This means:

• High core count enables excellent throughput for parallel tasks
• Turbo capability helps latency-sensitive threads and interactive processes
• Software that is well threaded will see near-linear scaling across many cores, while serially bound code benefits from turbo bursts

Memory and I/O Considerations

To extract peak value from the Xeon Gold 6238, pair it with the appropriate memory topology and I/O fabric. Key points:

• Support for multiple memory channels per socket — maximize DIMM population for bandwidth-heavy applications.
• Use of Registered ECC (RDIMM/LRDIMM) modules is recommended for stability and error correction in mission-critical servers.
• High throughput storage and NVMe options complement the CPU’s data handling capability.

Recommended Memory Best Practices

• Populate memory channels evenly for predictable latency and bandwidth.
• Match DIMM sizes and speeds per populated channel — avoid mixing unsanctioned modules.
• When using virtualization, allocate memory conservatively and use ballooning technologies to improve consolidation.

Thermal Design and Power Management

The 140 W TDP requires careful attention to cooling and power provisioning. Proper thermal handling ensures reliability and sustained performance:

• Use HPE-approved heat sinks and fan assemblies for the given chassis.
• Ensure adequate airflow paths, regular dust maintenance, and correct rack ventilation.
• Configure power capping if energy budgets or thermal limits must be enforced.

Power Efficiency Tips

• Enable modern power management profiles (e.g., Intel SpeedStep and C-states) where workload allows.
• Use HPE iLO and system management tools to monitor wattage, temperatures, and power usage trends.
• Consider energy-aware workload scheduling and VM placement to reduce peak power draw.

Installation, Upgrade and Field Replacement Guidance

When installing or replacing the P12010-001 processor, follow these practical guidelines to avoid damage and ensure correct configuration:

• Power down server and disconnect power before performing any field replaceable unit (FRU) work.
• Follow anti-static best practices — use an ESD strap and handle the CPU by its edges.
• Apply the correct thermal interface material (TIM) recommended by HPE between CPU and heat sink.
• Update BIOS/UEFI and firmware to the minimum recommended versions listed in the HPE support matrix.
• Re-check system logs and hardware health after boot to verify processor recognition and error-free initialization.

Firmware and BIOS Checklist

• Update system BIOS to the latest stable SPP release before deploying new CPUs.
• Install matching firmware for system management controllers and HPE integrated lights-out (iLO).
• Review HPE release notes for errata, required microcode updates, and compatibility notices.

Reliability, Availability, Serviceability (RAS) Features

The Cascade Lake platform and HPE integration provide many RAS capabilities designed to improve uptime and fault handling:

• ECC memory support to correct single-bit errors and detect multi-bit faults.
• Processor and platform telemetry available via iLO for predictive failure analysis.
• Hot-swap chassis features in supported enclosures to reduce downtime for storage/network FRUs.

Security and Platform Protections

Security features built into the CPU and the HPE platform help safeguard data and system integrity:

• Hardware-assisted virtualization (VT-x/VT-d) for secure VM isolation and device assignment.
• Microcode updates distributed through vendor firmware to mitigate speculative execution vulnerabilities.
• HPE iLO Secure Boot and HPE silicon root of trust options (where supported) for platform attestation.

Operational Security Recommendations

• Regularly apply firmware updates and microcode patches from HPE to address vulnerabilities.
• Enable secure boot and trusted platform settings where your environment requires high assurance.
• Use role-based access control (RBAC) on management interfaces and strong authentication for iLO access.

Comparisons and Upgrade Path Considerations

If you’re weighing the HPE P12010-001 (Xeon Gold 6238) against other options, consider these comparative traits:

• Higher core count vs. higher per-core frequency: The 22-core configuration favors throughput over single-thread peak performance. For workloads that require fewer but faster cores, Intel CPUs with higher base/turbo clocks or different SKU tiers may be preferable.
• Power envelope: 140 W TDP is moderate for enterprise Xeons — compare to lower-TDP SKUs if energy is a primary constraint.
• Platform generation: Cascade Lake is mature and stable; more recent microarchitectures may provide improvements in IPC, power efficiency, or specialized instructions.

When to Choose This Processor

• Consolidating multiple VMs per host for efficient utilization.
• Deploying database instances where many concurrent threads are active.
• Running medium to large cache-sized in-memory workloads.

When to Consider Different SKUs

• If your workload is strongly single-thread bound and requires maximum single-core frequency, evaluate higher frequency Xeon SKUs or newer Intel generations.
• If strict power limits exist, look at lower TDP models or energy-optimized SKUs.
• If you need specialized acceleration (GPUs, FPGAs, or dedicated AI inference chips), consider platform designs that integrate those components more tightly.

Practical Deployment Use Cases

Real deployment scenarios that commonly adopt the HPE P12010-001 include:

• Virtual Machine Hosting: High VM density hosts with balanced CPU-to-memory ratios.
• Enterprise Databases: OLTP systems where many concurrent worker threads are active.
• Backend Services: API backends, business logic tiers, and web application clusters.
• Analytics and Batch Processing: ETL pipelines and parallelizable compute jobs.
• Container Platforms: Kubernetes node pools handling a mix of stateless and stateful services.

Spare Parts and Procurement Tips

• Order HPE-branded or HPE-certified parts to ensure warranty and support coverage.
• Keep part numbers (e.g., P12010-001) handy when logging support tickets or ordering spares.
• Purchase from authorized distributors to avoid counterfeit or incompatible components.

Common Error Symptoms and Quick Fixes

• Server won’t POST: Recheck power, CPU seating, and DIMM seating; swap with known-good components if available.
• Thermal throttling: Verify heat sink mounting, thermal paste application, and airflow; confirm fans are operating at expected RPM ranges.
• Mismatched core counts or erratic behavior: Update BIOS and microcode; ensure the SPP level supports the CPU SKU.