Quick Verdict
A 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.
Overview
Launch
2025
Status
LaunchedGeneration
Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP)
Market
Enterprise Server, High-End Workstation
The Intel Xeon 6788P is an 86-core, 172-thread server and workstation processor based on the Granite Rapids-SP P-core architecture, targeting high-core-count virtualization, databases, and AI inference in dual- and multi-socket platforms.
With 86 P-cores, 172 threads, 336 MB of L3 cache, 8-channel DDR5-6400 and 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes, the Xeon 6788P is designed for enterprises running large in-memory databases, dense VM farms, and AI inference workloads. It supports Intel AMX for matrix math and integrates accelerators like QAT, DSA, DLB and IAA, but draws up to 350 W per socket and is priced accordingly, making it best suited for data centers that can fully utilize its core count and I/O.
Specifications
Performance
Outstanding multi-threaded throughput for virtualized and database workloads, especially with AMX and 8-channel memory.
Excellent VM density and per-VM performance thanks to 86 cores, large cache, and RAS features.
Not targeted at gaming; high latency and core count prioritize throughput over single-threaded gaming performance.
High performance per socket but high power draw; efficiency depends heavily on workload consolidation.
- •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
- •AMX accelerates INT8 and BF16 matrix operations
- •Suitable for small to medium AI inference models
- •Large training workloads typically still use GPUs
Architecture
Compute tiles: Intel 3; I/O tiles: Intel 7
Process Node
Granite Rapids-SP
Codename
86C / 172T
Core Config
336 MB
L3 Cache
350 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Granite Rapids-SP uses a chiplet design with Intel 3 compute tiles containing Redwood Cove P-cores and DDR5 controllers, and Intel 7 I/O tiles providing PCIe 5.0, UPI, and accelerators. The 6788P is the highest core-count Granite Rapids-SP SKU, with 86 P-cores and 336 MB of unified L3 cache.
CPU Design
86 P-cores with Hyper-Threading yield 172 threads. Each core has 2 MB L2 and shares 336 MB L3 across the package. Intel Speed Select Technology allows prioritizing subsets of cores for higher frequencies or power savings.
Memory Subsystem
8-channel DDR5 memory controllers support DDR5-6400 RDIMMs and, on 6700P platforms, MRDIMMs up to 8000 MT/s. Up to 4 TB of memory capacity per CPU is supported.
PCIe & I/O
88 PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU feed CXL 2.0 devices, NVMe SSDs, and high-speed NICs. In single-socket R1S mode, UPI links can be repurposed to reach up to 136 PCIe 5.0 lanes on supported platforms.
Overclocking
This is a locked server processor with no unlocked multiplier; frequency tuning is limited to Intel SST and power profiles.
- Much higher core count (86 vs 40)
- L3 cache increased from ~60 MB to 336 MB
- Memory bandwidth doubled with 8-channel DDR5 vs 8-channel DDR4
- Integrated accelerators (QAT, DSA, DLB, IAA) and AMX for AI
Key Highlights
- 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.)
- 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
History
The Xeon 6788P is the flagship of Intel’s Granite Rapids-SP family for the LGA4710 socket, launched as part of the Xeon 6700P series in early 2025. It arrives after AMD’s EPYC 9005 “Turin” processors pushed core counts above 192 per socket, creating pressure for Intel to respond with higher core counts, more cache, and stronger I/O. Granite Rapids-SP introduces a chiplet architecture with Intel 3 compute tiles and Intel 7 I/O tiles, supporting up to 86 cores and 8-channel DDR5.
The 6788P specifically targets enterprises running large in-memory databases, virtualized infrastructure, and AI inference, where maximizing per-socket density and memory bandwidth is more important than raw clock frequency. Intel’s own product briefs position Xeon 6 with P-cores as the host CPU for AI accelerators and as a general-purpose compute engine for cloud and HPC, with the 6788P representing the highest bin for the mainstream server platform.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Much higher core count (86 vs 40)
- L3 cache increased from ~60 MB to 336 MB
- Memory bandwidth doubled with 8-channel DDR5 vs 8-channel DDR4
- Integrated accelerators (QAT, DSA, DLB, IAA) and AMX for AI
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
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.
Avoid if…
- Building a gaming or light-duty workstation
- Your workloads cannot saturate 86 cores
- You are highly sensitive to power or per-core software licensing costs
- You need the absolute maximum single-thread performance for latency-sensitive trading or HPC codes
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
6788P is the highest core-count Granite Rapids-SP SKU for the LGA4710 socket, scaling up to 8 sockets.
Granite Rapids compute tiles are fabricated on Intel 3, while I/O tiles use Intel 7.
In single-socket R1S mode, some Xeon 6700P SKUs can repurpose UPI links to expose up to 136 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
MRDIMM support on Xeon 6700P/6500P can deliver up to ~30% higher memory bandwidth than RDIMM at up to 8000 MT/s.
Intel’s AMX in Granite Rapids significantly speeds INT8 and BF16 inference for large language models compared to AVX-512 only.
People Also Ask
Is Intel Xeon 6788P good for virtualization?
Yes. Its 86 cores and 172 threads provide excellent VM density, and the large L3 cache and 8-channel DDR5 memory help with memory-intensive virtualized workloads.
What socket does Intel Xeon 6788P use?
It uses the Intel FCLGA4710 socket (LGA4710), also referred to as Socket E2 for Granite Rapids-SP.
How much memory does Intel Xeon 6788P support?
Up to 4 TB of DDR5 memory per socket, depending on DIMM type and configuration.
Does Intel Xeon 6788P have integrated graphics?
No. Like other Xeon 6 processors, it relies on discrete or BMC graphics if display output is needed.
What is the max turbo frequency of Intel Xeon 6788P?
Up to 3.8 GHz on a subset of cores under Intel Turbo Boost Technology.
Is Intel Xeon 6788P unlocked for overclocking?
No. It is a locked server processor; frequency control is limited to Intel Speed Select Technology profiles.
What process node is Intel Xeon 6788P built on?
Compute tiles use Intel 3, while I/O tiles use Intel 7.
How many PCIe lanes does Intel Xeon 6788P have?
88 PCIe 5.0 lanes directly from the CPU.
Is Intel Xeon 6788P suitable for AI workloads?
It is good for CPU-based AI inference and smaller models thanks to AMX, but large-scale training typically uses GPUs.
What is the TDP of Intel Xeon 6788P?
350 W TDP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the P in Intel Xeon 6788P stand for?
The P indicates this is a Performance-core (P-core) SKU within the Xeon 6 family, optimized for high per-core performance and AI/HPC workloads.
Can Intel Xeon 6788P run in single-socket servers?
Yes. While it supports 2S/4S/8S, it can also be used in single-socket servers; some platforms even repurpose UPI links for extra PCIe lanes in R1S mode.
What memory types does Intel Xeon 6788P support?
It supports DDR5 RDIMMs at up to 6400 MT/s and, on compatible 6700P-series platforms, MRDIMMs at up to 8000 MT/s.
Does Intel Xeon 6788P support CXL?
Yes. The PCIe 5.0 lanes support CXL 2.0, enabling coherent acceleration and memory expansion devices.
Is Intel Xeon 6788P compatible with Intel Xeon 6900P platforms?
No. The 6788P uses the FCLGA4710 socket (Beechnut City platform), while 6900P uses the larger FCLGA7529 socket; they are not interchangeable.
What accelerators are integrated into Intel Xeon 6788P?
It includes Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT), Dynamic Load Balancer (DLB), Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA), and In-memory Analytics Accelerator (IAA), plus AMX for AI.
Is Intel Xeon 6788P good for gaming?
No. It is optimized for server and HPC workloads, not gaming; high core count does not translate to better gaming performance.
What security features does Intel Xeon 6788P offer?
It supports Intel TDX, SGX, MK-TME, Total Memory Encryption, AES-NI, and Boot Guard, among other security and reliability features.
How does Intel Xeon 6788P compare to Xeon 6980P?
The 6980P offers more cores (128), more L3 cache (504 MB), and 96 PCIe lanes on a larger LGA7529 socket, but at higher power and cost; the 6788P targets the LGA4710 platform with slightly fewer I/O lanes.
Can I use Intel Xeon 6788P in a workstation?
Yes. It is supported on Intel Xeon 6700P/6500P workstation platforms, providing high core counts for simulation, rendering, and data analysis.