Intel Xeon processors, model range spring-summer 2017

The server processor segment, unlike mobile or consumer, is conservative and predictable. It hardly bothers anyone, because reliability, compatibility and performance are important for professionals, and not spectacular functionality. Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly a movement here. Therefore, with some periodicity ( less often than we would like, but still) in the Intel blog, we publish reviews of the current situation with Xeon processors - a kind of instant cross-section of the entire line. Well, to make this review right now we were led by two interesting news.

A small preface for those who are interested in the topic, but have not previously followed the development of the Intel Xeon line. Xeon(Zion is read correctly) - server processors using Intel Core technologies and the following Core update strategies (the one that used to be tick-to-talk, and now tick-to-tok), but with some delay. That is, first appear Intel Core i3 / i7 Kaby Lake, and after a while - Intel Xeon E3 / E7 Kaby Lake. The more complex the processors, the greater the difference in generations. Let's say the Intel Xeon E3v6 (Kaby Lake) appeared 8 months after the Intel Core i3 v7 (Kaby Lake) - just now, and this is the first news. But Intel Xeon E5v6 does not yet exist in nature and it will not appear soon, because the current current generation is the fourth, which is Broadwell. Not confused in the rooms? Generations Core and Xeon differ by one, since the first Zion was made on Sandy Bridge cores, that is, the second generation Core.

After reviewing the arithmetic of the model range of Intel Xeon processors, we turn to their comparative consideration.

Intel Xeon E3

Intel Xeon E3 - processors for entry-level single socket servers, the performance of which, however, is enough to solve a wide variety of tasks. As already mentioned, in March of this year, Intel introduced a new, sixth generation Xeon E3v6 . This does not mean, however, that now only they are available for ordering. The inertia of the server market is large, if a previous generation platform is more suitable for your task / budget, you can easily buy both v5 and v4.


Typical configuration of Intel Xeon E5 v6

Xeon E3v6 - the third stage in the cycle of modernization of Intel processors, the optimization stage. This means that, functionally and in hardware, it hardly differs from its predecessor; There are some “file modifications” in order to make better use of the available resource. Let's see what has changed during the current iteration of the cycle, which took a total of 2 years.

	E3-1285V4	E3-1280V5	E3-1280V6
Technical process	14 nm
Generation	Broadwell	Skylake	Kaby lake
Cost of	$ 556	$ 612	$ 612
Launch	2Q15	4Q15	1Q17
Kernels / Threads	4/8	4/8	4/8
Base frequency	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz
L3 cache	6 MB	8 MB	8 MB
Tdp	95 W	80 W	72 W
Memory, max.	DDR3-1866	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2400
New features
Temperature monitoring		+	+
Intel SGX		+	+
Intel MPX		+	+
Secure key		+	+
Support Intel Optane			+

As you can see, the dynamics can hardly be called stunning, but the movement is there, and it goes in the direction that consumers expect - for example, in many cases, the speed of data exchange with memory is critical. On the other hand, E3v5 and v6 are very similar and, all other things being equal, are almost interchangeable. Which one to choose is up to you.

Intel Xeon E5

The positioning table of the Intel E5 v4

line The Xeon E5 line is the largest in the server segment and the most beloved by vendors, as it provides the widest possible range of performance characteristics. E5 processors can be installed in 1, 2 and 4-socket systems, altogether there are 38 of them in the current line, not counting previous generations. There is where to turn. Let's look at the range of characteristics and prices on the line

	E5-4669V4	E5-2650V4	E5-1620V4
Technical process	14 nm
Generation	Broadwell
Cost of	$ 7007	$ 1,171	$ 297
Launch	2Q16	1Q16	1Q16
Max. number of processors	four	2	one
Kernels / Threads	22/44	12/24	4/8
Base frequency	2.2 GHz	2.2 GHz	3.5 GHz
L3 cache	55 MB	30 MB	10 MB
Tdp	135 W	105 W	140 W

As already mentioned, the Xeon E5 lags behind E3 by two generations - now we are dealing with v4. Therefore, we will not find the latest functional gadgets here. However, they need not all and not always. But from the diversity just eyes run. E5 tightly pressed against the top E3 ​​and bottom E7. A multiprocessor system - a good option "overkill" or under difficult to predict the load.

Intel Xeon E7

Xeon E7 - Intel heavy artillery. The processor for those who need performance at any price, including in the literal sense. Here is the second news. In February, Intel released the most powerful and most expensive Xeon in history - under the symbol 8894. Here are its characteristics in comparison with “just powerful E7”.

	E7-8894V4	E7-8860V4
Technical process	14 nm
Generation	Broadwell
Cost of	$ 8898	$ 4061
Launch	1Q17	2Q16
Max. number of processors	eight	eight
Kernels / Threads	24/48	18/36
Base frequency	2.4 GHz	2.2 GHz
L3 cache	60 MB	45 MB
Tdp	165 W	140 W

HP DL580 Gen9 server based on Intel Xeon E7 v4

But who needs 192 most powerful E7 cores in one server? Definitely, and such tasks exist. On the Internet, they were most pleased that the price of a processor is almost exactly equal to its number. Both are not small.

Conclusion

There are no definitive official predictions regarding the planned changes in the Intel Xeon line, however, based on the logic of its development, an informed reader can assume that the next update will concern the E5 models - their fifth generation will be launched. It is also possible that individual additional models will be released in already existing lines.

In conclusion, let me remind you once again of the existence of a gigantic source of knowledge about all hardware products released by Intel from the beginning of the two thousandth - Automated Relational Knowledge Base (ARK). Unfortunately, the convenience of using this storehouse was somewhat spoiled by the latest innovations, however, there is still no more informed source about Intel hardware in general and about processors in particular. The knowledge base is also available asAndroid applications .