CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 6748P vs Intel Xeon 6788P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 6748P is a 48-core, 96-thread server processor based on the Granite Rapids-SP architecture, designed for high-core-count, multi-socket enterprise and HPC workloads with 8-channel DDR5-6400 and up to 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- AMX and DL Boost accelerate CPU‑based AI inference
- Well suited as an AI host node for GPU‑accelerated servers
- Not a replacement for dedicated AI accelerators for training
- AMX accelerates INT8 and BF16 matrix operations
- Suitable for small to medium AI inference models
- Large training workloads typically still use GPUs
Content Creation
Gaming
- Designed for server and HPC workloads, not gaming
- High latency and core‑count‑optimized microarchitecture
- Modern desktop CPUs offer better gaming performance at far lower cost
- Not designed for gaming use cases
- Single-threaded performance is modest compared to gaming CPUs
- Platform optimized for server I/O and RAS, not latency-sensitive gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 48 cores and 96 threads for high multi‑threaded throughput
- 8‑channel DDR5‑6400 with MRDIMM support for bandwidth‑intensive workloads
- Up to 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes and CXL 2.0 for GPUs and accelerators
- Mature RAS and enterprise features from the Xeon Scalable lineage
- Good AI inference performance with AMX and DL Boost
Cons
- 300 W TDP requires robust cooling and increases platform power
- High platform cost (CPU, DDR5, server board) compared to lower‑core‑count options
- No integrated graphics; even basic VGA requires an add‑in card or BMC
- Locked multiplier with no official overclocking support
- Overkill for workloads that cannot saturate 48 cores and 8 memory channels
Pros
- 86 cores and 172 threads for massive parallelism
- 336 MB L3 cache and 8-channel DDR5-6400 (MRDIMM up to 8000 MT/s)
- 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes with CXL 2.0 support
- AMX, QAT, DSA, DLB, IAA accelerators for AI, compression, and analytics
- Strong RAS and security features (TDX, SGX, MK-TME, etc.)
Cons
- High 350 W TDP and cooling requirements
- Very high platform and processor cost
- Limited single-threaded gains over prior-gen Xeons
- Software licensing costs can scale with core count
- Overkill for small business or branch-office servers
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Xeon 6748P
- AMD EPYC 9454Rival
Server
- AMD EPYC 9554Rival
Server
- AMD EPYC 9654Rival
Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6781PRival
Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6760PRival
Server
Same core count with higher cache and slightly lower TDP if you need more L3 per core.
Compare head-to-headLower core count and TDP for less demanding server workloads with similar platform features.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Xeon 6900P seriesAlt
Higher‑core‑count Granite Rapids‑AP platform for those needing 72–128 cores per socket.
Intel Xeon 6788P
- AMD EPYC 9965Rival
High-Core-Count Server
- AMD EPYC 9755Rival
High-Core-Count Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6980PRival
High-End 2P Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6960PRival
High-End 2P Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6768PRival
Mainstream 2P/4P Server
48-core SKU with lower TDP and cost for balanced workloads.
Compare head-to-head32-core, higher-clock variant for less heavily threaded applications.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A strong 48-core server CPU for multi-socket platforms that need high memory bandwidth and PCIe connectivity, but with a 300 W TDP and premium price that demand careful platform and cooling design.
Best for: Building or upgrading 2–8 socket servers for virtualization, databases, or HPC where high core count, memory bandwidth, and PCIe connectivity are critical and platform cost can be justified.
Read the full reviewA no-compromise, high-core-count Xeon for enterprises that need maximum per-socket density and strong AI acceleration, but its 350 W TDP and premium pricing demand a careful TCO analysis.
Best for: 2S/4S/8S servers or high-end workstations running large in-memory databases, dense virtualization, or CPU-based AI inference where per-socket core count and memory bandwidth are critical.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon 6748P has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon 6748P (300 W), Intel Xeon 6788P (350 W).
Do Intel Xeon 6748P and Intel Xeon 6788P use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the FCLGA4710 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 6788P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Xeon 6748P (48 cores), Intel Xeon 6788P (86 cores).