Quick Verdict
A powerful, highly integrated edge SoC with strong multi-threaded throughput and purpose-built accelerators for telco and networking, but its high TDP and single-socket focus limit deployment flexibility compared to newer or more efficient alternatives.
Overview
Launch
2025
Status
LaunchedGeneration
Intel Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-D)
Market
Server / Edge / Telecom
The Intel Xeon 6776P-B is a 72-core, 144-thread server processor based on the Granite Rapids-D platform, designed for single-socket edge, telecom, and networking systems with integrated I/O and accelerators such as vRAN Boost, AMX, and QAT.
Intel’s Xeon 6776P-B is a top-bin Granite Rapids-D SoC with 72 P-cores, 144 threads, 8-channel DDR5-6400, and 48 PCIe lanes (Gen5 + Gen4). It is sold as a single-socket BGA5026 part for edge and telco servers, integrating vRAN Boost, AMX, QAT, DLB and DSA to accelerate 5G, networking, and storage workloads. Official specs list a 2.
3 GHz base, 2.9 GHz all-core and 3.5 GHz max turbo, with 288 MB L3 and a 325 W TDP.
It is not intended for client or gaming use; instead it targets dense edge deployments where core count, I/O bandwidth, and integrated accelerators matter more than raw per-core performance or power efficiency.
Specifications
Performance
Strong multi-threaded integer and throughput performance for server and telco workloads, but optimized for data-plane rather than interactive productivity.
Excellent for NFV and containerized telco/VNFs, with high core count and memory bandwidth, though single-socket only.
Not designed for gaming; low single-thread focus and no integrated graphics make it a poor choice compared to client CPUs.
325 W TDP for 72 cores yields good throughput per watt for its class, but newer competing edge CPUs can deliver better performance per watt and per dollar in some scenarios.
- •No integrated graphics and server-focused clocks
- •Not validated for client or gaming use cases
- •Single-threaded performance optimized for server workloads
- •Intel AMX for BF16/INT8 matrix operations
- •DL Boost for AVX-512-based inference
- •No integrated GPU-like AI accelerator, but strong CPU-based AI for edge
Architecture
Intel 3 (7 nm equivalent)
Process Node
Granite Rapids-D
Codename
72C / 144T
Core Config
288 MB
L3 Cache
325 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Granite Rapids-D extends Intel’s Xeon 6 P-core architecture into a BGA SoC tailored for edge and telecom, combining up to 72 P-cores with integrated accelerators and 8-channel DDR5 in a single-socket package.
CPU Design
72 P-cores with Hyper-Threading yield 144 threads. Each P-core is a high-performance out-of-order core with AVX-512 and AMX support, focused on throughput and deterministic behavior for telco and networking workloads.
Memory Subsystem
8-channel DDR5-6400 with support for up to 2.25 TB of memory. This provides high bandwidth for data-plane and in-memory databases, while MRDIMM support on related SKUs indicates a memory-optimized design philosophy.
PCIe & I/O
32 Gen5 and 16 Gen4 PCIe lanes from the CPU, plus integrated LAN, tailored for high-speed NICs, NVMe, and accelerators in compact edge servers.
Overclocking
Multiplier is locked; no overclocking. Frequency is managed by Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 and platform power policies, with emphasis on deterministic performance rather than tuning.
- Much higher core count (72 vs 20 cores in top Ice Lake-D)
- DDR5 and 8-channel memory vs DDR4 6-channel
- Integrated vRAN Boost and AMX accelerators
- Higher per-socket performance and bandwidth for telco and edge
Key Highlights
- 72 P-cores / 144 threads for high throughput
- 8-channel DDR5-6400 with up to 2.25 TB memory
- Integrated vRAN Boost, AMX, QAT, DLB, DSA for telco and networking
- 48 PCIe lanes (Gen5 + Gen4) from CPU
- Single-socket BGA5026 simplifies board design for edge appliances
- Strong SPEC CPU2017 & SPECpower results for its class
- High 325 W TDP requires robust cooling and power design
- Single-socket only; no dual-socket scale-out
- BGA socket is not field-upgradable
- Newer AMD EPYC 8005 series can offer better performance per watt and per dollar in some edge benchmarks
- Limited relevance for client, gaming, or traditional workstation use
History
The Xeon 6776P-B emerges from Intel’s decision to split Xeon into P-core and E-core tracks. Granite Rapids, the P-core track for mainstream servers, launched in 2024, while Granite Rapids-D extends the architecture into the edge and telecom space traditionally served by Xeon D. Announced as part of the Granite Rapids-D lineup sampling in 2024 and launching in 2025, the 6776P-B is the flagship 72-core P-core SKU for the BGA5026 platform, doubling down on vRAN performance and integrated I/O compared to Ice Lake-D.
It targets the same 5G and edge consolidation use cases as AMD’s EPYC 8005 series and NVIDIA’s Grace CPU Superchip, with Intel emphasizing x86 continuity, AMX, and vRAN Boost as differentiators. As Intel refreshes its edge lineup, 6776P-B represents the high core-count, high-integration end of the spectrum, positioning Xeon 6 SoC as a consolidation platform for multi-server vRAN and edge appliances.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Much higher core count (72 vs 20 cores in top Ice Lake-D)
- DDR5 and 8-channel memory vs DDR4 6-channel
- Integrated vRAN Boost and AMX accelerators
- Higher per-socket performance and bandwidth for telco and edge
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Building single-socket edge servers for 5G vRAN, RAN, or network appliances where you want Intel x86 with integrated accelerators and high core density.
Avoid if…
- You need dual-socket systems
- Your workloads are strongly efficiency- or cost-constrained and can use AMD EPYC 8005 or newer alternatives
- You want a client or gaming CPU
- You require a socketed LGA platform for field upgrades
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
6776P-B is Intel’s top-bin Granite Rapids-D SoC with 72 P-cores, making it the highest-core Xeon D-class part at launch.
It sits in the BGA5026 package, which integrates the memory controller and most I/O, reducing board complexity compared to LGA Xeons.
Intel positions Granite Rapids-D specifically for 5G vRAN and edge networking, with vRAN Boost and integrated 100GbE-class I/O in the SoC line.
In AMD’s own SPEC-based comparisons, the 84-core EPYC 8635P (225 W) delivers better performance per watt and per dollar than the 72-core 6776P-B (325 W).
The 6776P-B is used in Dell PowerEdge XR8720t servers and has published SPEC CPU2026 and SPECpower results, showing real-world deployment in telco-optimized platforms.
It supports the same Intel 3 process and P-core microarchitecture as Granite Rapids-SP, but in a denser, more integrated form factor.
Despite its high core count, it lacks integrated graphics and client-focused features, reinforcing its server/edge orientation.
The -B suffix designates single-socket BGA SKUs in Intel’s Granite Rapids-D lineup, contrasting with the -SP LGA parts for dual-socket servers.
With 288 MB L3 cache, it has slightly less cache per core than some 64-core Granite Rapids-SP parts, reflecting a balance between core count and die area for the SoC.
Its 2.9 GHz all-core turbo is lower than the 3.6–3.9 GHz of some Granite Rapids-SP SKUs, optimized for thermally constrained edge chassis rather than maximum frequency.
People Also Ask
Is Intel Xeon 6776P-B good for gaming?
No. It is a server/edge processor with no integrated graphics and is optimized for throughput and telco workloads, not gaming.
How many cores does the Xeon 6776P-B have?
72 cores and 144 threads via Intel Hyper-Threading.
What socket does the Xeon 6776P-B use?
It uses the FCBGA5026 socket, a ball-grid-array package where the CPU is soldered directly to the motherboard.
Does Xeon 6776P-B support dual-socket configurations?
No, it is a single-socket only (1S) SKU per Intel’s specification.
What memory does Xeon 6776P-B support?
It supports 8-channel DDR5 memory with official speeds up to DDR5-6400 and a maximum capacity of 2.25 TB.
What is the TDP of Xeon 6776P-B?
The processor has a 325 W TDP.
Does Xeon 6776P-B have integrated graphics?
No, it does not include integrated graphics.
What accelerators are integrated in Xeon 6776P-B?
Intel lists vRAN Boost, Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT), Dynamic Load Balancer (DLB), Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA), and Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX).
How does Xeon 6776P-B compare to AMD EPYC 8635P?
AMD’s 84-core EPYC 8635P has a lower 225 W TDP and, in AMD’s SPEC-based comparisons, delivers better performance per watt and per dollar, though 6776P-B may still win on some x86/Intel-optimized telco workloads.
Is Xeon 6776P-B overclockable?
No, the multiplier is locked and it is not designed for overclocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Intel Xeon 6776P-B designed for?
It is designed for single-socket edge servers, 5G vRAN/RAN, network appliances, and other telco and edge workloads that benefit from high core count, integrated I/O, and hardware accelerators.
Can I use Xeon 6776P-B in a desktop or workstation?
It is not intended for client or workstation use. The BGA5026 platform and server-focused feature set make it suitable only for specialized edge servers.
What operating systems are supported?
It supports standard x86-64 server operating systems, including Linux distributions and Windows Server, that run on Intel Xeon 6 processors. Specific OS support depends on the server vendor.
How much memory can I install with Xeon 6776P-B?
Up to 2.25 TB of DDR5 memory across 8 channels, using supported DIMM types and capacities per Intel’s specifications.
Does Xeon 6776P-B require a special motherboard?
Yes, it requires a BGA5026 motherboard designed specifically for Granite Rapids-D SoCs, with the CPU soldered onto the board.
What PCIe configuration does Xeon 6776P-B provide?
Intel specifies 32 Gen5 and 16 Gen4 PCIe lanes from the CPU for a total of 48 lanes.
Is there a socketed (LGA) version of this CPU?
No, the 6776P-B is only available in the FCBGA5026 package. For a similar LGA socketed part, look at Xeon 6776P or other Granite Rapids-SP SKUs.
How does it compare to Xeon 6776P?
6776P uses an LGA4710 socket and supports 2-socket configurations, while 6776P-B is a single-socket BGA SoC with integrated I/O and slightly different turbo behavior.
What workloads benefit most from 6776P-B?
5G vRAN, RAN, network security appliances, storage servers, and other edge workloads that can leverage its high core count, memory bandwidth, and integrated accelerators.
Is Xeon 6776P-B still a good choice in 2026?
It remains competitive for Intel-based edge platforms, but AMD’s EPYC 8005 series and newer Intel platforms may offer better efficiency and value depending on the workload and software ecosystem.