CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 6978P vs Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 6978P is a 120-core, 240-thread server processor based on the Granite Rapids-AP architecture, designed for large-scale virtualization, in-memory databases, and dense HPC and AI consolidation workloads in dual-socket platforms.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Supports Intel AMX, DL Boost, and AVX‑512 for CPU‑based AI inference
- No integrated AI accelerator beyond CPU instructions
- Best used as a host CPU for discrete AI accelerators
- Strong CPU inference throughput for models that fit in memory.
- No integrated GPU or dedicated AI accelerator; relies on CPU cores and Intel DL Boost / AVX2.
- Best used as a host CPU for GPU/accelerator‑based AI systems.
Content Creation
Gaming
- No integrated graphics
- Server platform, not validated for gaming
- Client‑side gaming not a target use case
- Not intended for gaming; low clock speeds and E‑core architecture.
- Latency and single‑thread performance far below mainstream desktop CPUs.
- Only relevant if gaming is a tiny side‑load on a primarily cloud server.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very high core count (120 cores / 240 threads)
- 12 memory channels with DDR5 and MRDIMM support
- 96 PCIe 5.0 lanes for I/O‑heavy server designs
- Intel 3 process improves density and efficiency
- Strong platform for in‑memory databases and virtualization
Cons
- 500 W TDP requires robust cooling and power delivery
- Expensive and typically sold only through OEM channels
- Performance per core is modest compared to lower‑core Xeons
- Limited use outside large server deployments
- No integrated graphics or client‑side validation
Pros
- 288 E‑cores for extremely high thread density.
- Intel 18A process with improved performance per watt and density.
- 576 MB L3 + 288 MB L2 cache reduces memory bottlenecks.
- 12‑channel DDR5‑8000 with up to 1.5 TB capacity per socket.
- 96 PCIe 5.0 / CXL lanes for accelerators and NVMe.
- Strong Intel claims vs prior Xeon E‑core and competing EPYC density parts.
Cons
- No SMT; 288 threads are fixed, no 2× SMT multiplier.
- E‑core clocks and single‑thread performance are modest.
- 450 W TDP requires robust cooling and power delivery.
- Platform and CPU cost will be very high; overkill for small deployments.
- New 18A node and complex packaging may introduce early‑production risk.
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Xeon 6978P
- AMD EPYC 9554Rival
Server (64‑core, SP5)
- AMD EPYC 9654Rival
Server (96‑core, SP5)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6980PRival
Server (128‑core, Granite Rapids‑AP)
- Intel Xeon Platinum 8490HRival
Server (60‑core, Sapphire Rapids)
- AmpereOne A192‑32Rival
Cloud‑Native ARM Server (192‑core)
Lower core count (64) with higher per‑core frequency, better for workloads that don’t scale beyond ~64 threads.
Compare head-to-head- ARM‑based AmpereOne or Graviton3Alt
Cloud‑native ARM alternatives for scale‑out workloads where software is optimized for ARM and power efficiency is critical.
Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor
- AMD EPYC 9965Rival
Density‑optimized x86 server
- AmpereOne A192‑32XRival
Arm density‑optimized server
- Intel Xeon 6980E+Rival
E‑core server (lower core count)
- Intel Xeon 6900P series (Granite Rapids‑AP)Rival
P‑core high‑performance server
- AMD EPYC 9655Rival
Performance‑optimized x86 server
- Intel Xeon 6900P (Granite Rapids‑AP)Alt
Choose P‑core Xeon if you need higher per‑core performance and can accept lower core counts.
Our Verdict on Each
An extremely capable dual‑socket server CPU with best‑in‑class core count and memory bandwidth for its generation, best suited for organizations that can utilize its 120 cores and 12 memory channels rather than treating it as a general‑purpose compute node.
Best for: Dual‑socket servers running memory‑intensive, highly parallel workloads such as large in‑memory databases, virtualization, or HPC where core count and memory bandwidth are the primary bottlenecks.
Read the full reviewAn extremely dense E‑core server CPU that trades per‑core speed for sheer throughput and efficiency, ideal for cloud and telecom deployments that can exploit its 288 cores and 12‑channel DDR5‑8000 memory.
Best for: New cloud / telecom deployments that can fully utilize 288+ cores and 12‑channel DDR5‑8000, and where performance per watt and rack density are more important than per‑core speed.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Xeon 6978P or Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor comes out ahead with a score of 9/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Xeon 6978P or Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor?
For gaming, the Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Xeon 6978P and Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon 6978P (500 W), Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor (450 W).
Do Intel Xeon 6978P and Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Xeon 6978P: FCLGA7529, Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor: LGA7529), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Xeon 6978P (120 cores), Intel Xeon 6990E+ processor (288 cores).