Quick Verdict
An extremely powerful dual-socket server CPU with huge core counts, strong per-thread performance, and rich integrated acceleration, best suited for new data center builds where its platform cost and power can be justified.
Overview
Launch
2025
Status
LaunchedGeneration
6th Gen Xeon Scalable (Granite Rapids-SP)
Market
2S Server / HPC / Enterprise
The Intel Xeon 6787P is an 86-core, 172-thread server processor based on the Granite Rapids-SP (Redwood Cove) P-core architecture, targeting high-throughput data center, HPC, and AI inference workloads with 8-channel DDR5/MRDIMM support and 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
Intel’s Xeon 6787P packs 86 Redwood Cove P-cores and 172 threads into a 350 W TDP, with 8-channel DDR5/MRDIMM memory, 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes, and built‑in accelerators for AI, crypto, and analytics. It’s built for dual‑socket servers running large VM farms, databases, HPC, and AI inference, where its high core count and platform bandwidth can offset the significant power and cost.
Specifications
Performance
Exceptional for parallel enterprise workloads; SPEC CPU2017 and OEM studies show large gains over prior Xeon generations.
Ideal for high VM density with strong per‑VM performance and huge memory capacity.
Not a target use case; still functional for light GPU workloads but far from optimal vs client CPUs.
Performance per watt is much improved over older Xeons, but 350 W TDP and platform cost are still high.
- •Server-focused SKU with no integrated graphics
- •Can be paired with GPUs for GPU‑limited workloads, but client CPUs or specialized GPUs are better for pure gaming
- •AMX and DL Boost accelerate CPU‑side inference and low‑precision math
- •Best used as a complement to dedicated AI accelerators rather than a replacement
Architecture
Intel 3
Process Node
Granite Rapids-SP
Codename
86C / 172T
Core Config
336 MB
L3 Cache
350 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Granite Rapids-SP is Intel’s 6th‑generation Xeon Scalable platform using Redwood Cove P‑cores on the Intel 3 process, with a chiplet‑based architecture and integrated accelerators for data center workloads.
CPU Design
The Xeon 6787P uses 86 Redwood Cove P‑cores, each with 64 KB L1I, 48 KB L1D, and 2 MB L2, sharing a 336 MB L3 slice. Hyper‑Threading yields 172 threads, with Speed Select Technology exposing high‑ and low‑priority core groups with different base frequencies.
Memory Subsystem
An 8‑channel DDR5/MRDIMM controller supports DDR5‑6400 and MRDIMM‑8800, with Intel listing maximum memory speed up to 8000 MT/s and up to 4 TB capacity per socket. This provides very high bandwidth for in‑memory databases and HPC.
PCIe & I/O
88 PCIe 5.0 lanes are routed from the CPU, enabling multiple GPUs, NVMe, and CXL/SmartNIC devices. The platform also supports CXL 2.0 for coherent accelerator access.
Overclocking
No unlocked multiplier; turbo frequencies are managed by Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 and Speed Select Technology rather than manual overclocking.
- Move from Sapphire Rapids to Granite Rapids Redwood Cove P‑cores
- Higher core count (86 vs 64) in similar TDP
- Intel 3 process vs Intel 7, improving efficiency and frequency
- MRDIMM support and higher memory speeds
- Additional integrated accelerators (AMX, IAA, DLB, DSA, QAT)
Key Highlights
- 86 cores and 172 threads for massive parallelism
- 8‑channel DDR5/MRDIMM with high bandwidth and capacity
- 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes and CXL 2.0 for I/O‑heavy servers
- Integrated QAT, DLB, DSA, IAA, AMX accelerators
- Intel 3 process and Redwood Cove IPC gains vs prior Xeons
- 350 W TDP requires robust cooling and power
- High platform cost (CPU + DDR5/MRDIMM + platform)
- Overkill for small business or light workloads
- No integrated graphics and limited client‑use ecosystem
- New platform; early BIOS/firmware maturity considerations
History
Intel introduced the Xeon 6 family in 2024, starting with Sierra Forest E‑core parts and followed by Granite Rapids P‑core CPUs for servers and workstations. Granite Rapids-SP, including the Xeon 6700P series, moves Intel’s server platform to the Intel 3 process and Redwood Cove P‑cores, with higher core counts, MRDIMM support, and integrated accelerators aimed at AI, HPC, and enterprise workloads. The Xeon 6787P launched in Q1 2025 as one of the high‑core‑count 6700P SKUs, positioned between lower‑core 6767P and higher‑core 6980P options.
Early OEM benchmarks and SPEC results show substantial performance gains over 5th‑gen Xeon Scalable, particularly in multi‑threaded and memory‑bound workloads, helping Intel compete with AMD’s EPYC 9004/9005 families in the data center.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Move from Sapphire Rapids to Granite Rapids Redwood Cove P‑cores
- Higher core count (86 vs 64) in similar TDP
- Intel 3 process vs Intel 7, improving efficiency and frequency
- MRDIMM support and higher memory speeds
- Additional integrated accelerators (AMX, IAA, DLB, DSA, QAT)
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
New dual‑socket server builds for VM‑heavy, database, HPC, or AI inference where 86 cores and 8‑channel memory can be fully utilized.
Avoid if…
- Building a single‑socket workstation where a lower‑core Granite Rapids‑WS or client CPU is cheaper
- Power or budget constraints that favor lower‑TDP or older Xeon generations
- Pure gaming or light desktop workloads
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The Xeon 6787P uses the same Granite Rapids-SP die as other 6700P SKUs but with 86 cores enabled, binning for frequency and yield.
Its 336 MB L3 cache is shared across all 86 cores, mirroring the per‑core 3 MB L3 typical of Granite Rapids-SP.
SPEC CPU2017 results for Dell PowerEdge R670/R470 with this CPU show strong multi‑core throughput versus 5th‑gen Xeon platforms.
MRDIMM‑8800 support, new with Xeon 6, significantly boosts memory bandwidth for HPC and analytics vs DDR5‑6400 alone.
Speed Select Technology lets operators designate 36 high‑priority cores at 2.1 GHz and 50 low‑priority cores at 1.6 GHz for QoS.
Intel’s own performance indexes show Xeon 6787P delivering >1.3x higher x265 transcode performance vs Xeon 8592+ in 2P configs.
The CPU is physically large (77.5 mm × 56.5 mm) and uses the FCLGA4710 socket, which is new for Xeon 6 SP.
It supports up to 4 TB of memory per socket, enabling large in‑memory databases without relying on remote NUMA nodes.
AMX on this generation adds FP16 and INT8 matrix operations, boosting CPU‑side AI inference without GPUs.
Despite 86 cores, Intel specifies a relatively modest 3.2 GHz all‑core turbo, reflecting a focus on efficiency and power over peak frequency.
People Also Ask
What is the Intel Xeon 6787P used for?
It is designed for dual‑socket servers running virtualization, large databases, HPC, and AI inference, where high core counts and memory bandwidth are important.
How many cores and threads does the Xeon 6787P have?
It has 86 cores and 172 threads via Intel Hyper‑Threading Technology.
What memory does the Xeon 6787P support?
It supports DDR5‑6400 and MRDIMM‑8800, with Intel listing maximum memory speed up to 8000 MT/s and up to 4 TB per socket.
What socket does the Xeon 6787P use?
It uses the FCLGA4710 socket (also referred to as Socket 4710) for Granite Rapids‑SP.
Is the Xeon 6787P good for gaming?
No, it is a server CPU without integrated graphics and is not optimized for gaming; client CPUs or specialized GPUs are better choices.
What is the TDP of the Xeon 6787P?
The default TDP is 350 W; there is no configurable TDP range listed for this SKU.
Does the Xeon 6787P have integrated graphics?
No, it relies on discrete GPUs or onboard graphics on the motherboard if display output is needed.
How does the Xeon 6787P compare to 5th‑gen Xeon Scalable?
It offers more cores, higher IPC, Intel 3 process, MRDIMM support, and additional accelerators, with OEMs reporting up to ~45% more compute performance in some server configurations vs previous‑gen Platinum 8592+.
Can you overclock the Xeon 6787P?
No; it has an unlocked multiplier and is intended for server platforms with fixed turbo behavior and power management.
What PCIe version does the Xeon 6787P support?
It supports 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Xeon 6787P support CXL?
The Granite Rapids-SP platform supports CXL 2.0, but the specific lane allocation and CXL capabilities depend on the platform and BIOS; check your vendor’s documentation.
What OSes are supported on Xeon 6787P platforms?
Major enterprise Linux distributions (RHEL, SLES, Ubuntu) and Windows Server are supported; always verify with your server vendor for specific OS support and drivers.
How much power does a dual Xeon 6787P server typically draw?
CPU power alone can reach 700 W under full load, plus memory, fans, and peripherals; typical 2U servers often require 1.2–1.5 kW or more depending on configuration.
Is the Xeon 6787P suitable for small businesses?
Generally no; it is optimized for large data center deployments. Smaller businesses would usually be better served by lower‑core Xeon E or 5th‑gen Xeon Scalable CPUs.
What cooling is recommended for the Xeon 6787P?
High‑end air or liquid cooling solutions designed for 350 W TDP LGA4710 CPUs; many 1U/2U servers use custom heatsinks or direct liquid cooling modules.
Can the Xeon 6787P be used in a workstation?
Technically yes on a compatible Granite Rapids‑WS motherboard, but workstation‑focused Xeon 600 W‑series SKUs are usually more appropriate and cost‑effective.
What accelerators are integrated into the Xeon 6787P?
Intel QAT (compression/crypto), DLB (load balancing), DSA (data streaming), IAA (in‑memory analytics), and AMX (matrix math for AI).
Does the Xeon 6787P support Intel SGX and TDX?
Yes, Intel lists support for Intel SGX and Intel TDX on this processor, with a default maximum SGX enclave page cache of 512 GB.
How does MRDIMM benefit the Xeon 6787P?
MRDIMM‑8800 can provide higher bandwidth and better performance for memory‑bound HPC and analytics workloads compared to DDR5‑6400, at the cost of higher power and price.
What is Speed Select Technology on the Xeon 6787P?
It allows per‑core frequency and priority configuration, such as designating 36 high‑priority cores at 2.1 GHz and 50 low‑priority cores at 1.6 GHz to meet QoS or power targets.