Intel 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable (Ice Lake SP) Review: Generationally Big, Competitively Small
by Andrei Frumusanu on April 6, 2021 11:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Servers
- CPUs
- Intel
- Xeon
- Enterprise
- Xeon Scalable
- Ice Lake-SP
Section by Ian Cutress
Ice Lake Xeon Processor List
Intel is introducing around 40 new processors across the Xeon Platinum (8300 series), Xeon Gold (6300 and 5300 series) and Xeon Silver (4300 series). Xeon Bronze no longer exists with Ice Lake. Much like the previous generation, the 8/6/5/4 segmentation signifies the series, and the 3 indicates the generation. Beyond that the two digits are somewhat meaningless as before.
That being said, there is a significant change. In the past, Platinum/Gold/Silver also indicated socket support, with Platinum supporting up to 8P configurations. This time around, as Ice Lake does not support 8P, all the processors will support only up to 2P, with a few select models being uniprocessor only. This makes the Platinum/Gold/Silver segmentation arbitrary, if only to indicate what sort of performance/price bracket the processors are in.
On top of this, Intel is adding in more suffixes to the equation. If you work with Xeon Scalable processors day in and day out, there is now a need to differentiate the Q processor from a P processor, and an S processor from an M processor. There’s a handy list down below.
SKU List
The easiest way with this is to jump into the deep end with the processor list. RCP stands for recommended customer price, and SGX GB stands for how large Software Guard Extension enclaves can be – either 8 GB, 64 GB, or 512 GB. Cells highlighted in green show highlights in the stack.
Intel 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable Ice Lake Xeon Only |
||||||||||
AnandTech | Cores w/HT |
Base Freq |
1T Freq |
nT Freq |
L3 MB |
TDP W |
SGX GB |
RCP 1ku |
DC PMM |
|
Xeon Platinum (8x DDR4-3200) | ||||||||||
8380 | 40 | 2300 | 3400 | 3000 | 60 | 270 | 512 | $8099 | Yes | |
8368 | Q | 38 | 2600 | 3700 | 3300 | 57 | 270 | 512 | $6743 | Yes |
8368 | 38 | 2400 | 3400 | 3200 | 57 | 270 | 512 | $6302 | Yes | |
8362 | 32 | 2800 | 3600 | 3500 | 48 | 265 | 64 | $5488 | Yes | |
8360 | Y | 36 | 2400 | 3500 | 3100 | 54 | 250 | 64 | $4702 | Yes |
8358 | P | 32 | 2600 | 3400 | 3200 | 48 | 240 | 8 | $3950 | Yes |
8358 | 32 | 2600 | 3400 | 3300 | 48 | 250 | 64 | $3950 | Yes | |
8352 | Y | 32 | 2200 | 3400 | 2800 | 48 | 205 | 64 | $3450 | Yes |
8352 | V | 36 | 2100 | 3500 | 2500 | 54 | 195 | 8 | $3450 | Yes |
8352 | S | 32 | 2200 | 3400 | 2800 | 48 | 205 | 512 | $4046 | Yes |
8352 | M | 32 | 2300 | 3500 | 2800 | 48 | 185 | 64 | $3864 | Yes |
8351 | N | 36 | 2400 | 3500 | 3100 | 54 | 225 | 64 | $3027 | Yes |
Xeon Gold 6300 (8x DDR4-3200) | ||||||||||
6354 | 18 | 3000 | 3600 | 3600 | 39 | 205 | 64 | $2445 | Yes | |
6348 | 28 | 2600 | 3500 | 3400 | 42 | 235 | 64 | $3072 | Yes | |
6346 | 16 | 3100 | 3600 | 3600 | 36 | 205 | 64 | $2300 | Yes | |
6342 | 24 | 2800 | 3500 | 3300 | 36 | 230 | 64 | $2529 | Yes | |
6338 | T | 24 | 2100 | 3400 | 2700 | 36 | 165 | 64 | $2742 | Yes |
6338 | N | 32 | 2200 | 3500 | 2700 | 48 | 185 | 64 | $2795 | Yes |
6338 | 32 | 2000 | 3200 | 2600 | 48 | 205 | 64 | $2612 | Yes | |
6336 | Y | 24 | 2400 | 3600 | 3000 | 36 | 185 | 64 | $1977 | Yes |
6334 | 8 | 3600 | 3700 | 3600 | 18 | 165 | 64 | $2214 | Yes | |
6330 | N | 28 | 2200 | 3400 | 2600 | 42 | 165 | 64 | $2029 | Yes |
6330 | 28 | 2000 | 3100 | 2600 | 42 | 205 | 64 | $1894 | Yes | |
6326 | 16 | 2900 | 3500 | 3300 | 24 | 185 | 64 | $1300 | Yes | |
6314 | U | 32 | 2300 | 3400 | 2900 | 48 | 205 | 64 | $2600 | Yes |
6312 | U | 24 | 2400 | 3600 | 3100 | 36 | 185 | 64 | $1450 | Yes |
Xeon Gold 5300 (8x DDR4-2933) | ||||||||||
5320 | T | 20 | 2300 | 3500 | 2900 | 30 | 150 | 64 | $1727 | Yes |
5320 | 26 | 2200 | 3400 | 2800 | 39 | 185 | 64 | $1555 | Yes | |
5318 | Y | 24 | 2100 | 3400 | 2600 | 36 | 165 | 64 | $1273 | Yes |
5318 | S | 24 | 2100 | 3400 | 2600 | 36 | 165 | 512 | $1667 | Yes |
5318 | N | 24 | 2100 | 3400 | 2700 | 36 | 150 | 64 | $1375 | Yes |
5317 | 12 | 3000 | 3600 | 3400 | 18 | 150 | 64 | $950 | Yes | |
5315 | Y | 8 | 3200 | 3600 | 3500 | 12 | 140 | 64 | $895 | Yes |
Xeon Silver (8x DDR4-2666) | ||||||||||
4316 | 20 | 2300 | 3400 | 2800 | 30 | 150 | 8 | $1002 | ||
4314 | 16 | 2400 | 3400 | 2900 | 24 | 135 | 8 | $694 | Yes | |
4310 | T | 10 | 2300 | 3400 | 2900 | 15 | 105 | 8 | $555 | |
4310 | 12 | 2100 | 3300 | 2700 | 18 | 120 | 8 | $501 | ||
4309 | Y | 8 | 2800 | 3600 | 3400 | 12 | 105 | 8 | $501 | |
Q = Liquid Cooled SKU Y = Supports Intel SST-PP 2.0 P = IaaS Cloud Specialised Processor V = SaaS Cloud Specialised Processor N = Networking/NFV Optimized M = Media Processing Optimized T = Long-Life and Extended Thermal Support U = Uniprocessor (1P Only) S = 512 GB SGX Enclave per CPU Guaranteed (...but not all 512 GB are labelled S) |
The peak turbo on these processors is 3.7 GHz, which is much lower than what we saw with the previous generation. Despite this, Intel seems to be keeping prices reasonable, and enabling Optane support through most of the stack except for the Silver processors (which has its own single exception).
New suffixes include Q, for a liquid cooled processor model with higher all-core frequencies at 270 W, and Intel said this part came about based on customer demand. The T processors are extended life / extended thermal support, which usually means -40ºC to 125ºC support – useful when working at the poles or in other extreme conditions. M/N/P/V specialized processors, according to our chat with Lisa Spelman, GM of the Xeon and Memory Group, are the focal points for software stack optimizations. Users that want focused hardware that can get 2-10%+ more performance on their specific workload can get these processors for which the software will be specifically tuned. Lisa stated that while all processors will receive uplifts, the segmented parts are the ones those uplifts will be targeted for. This means managing turbo vs use case and adapting code for that, which can only really be optimized for a known turbo profile.
Competition
It’s hard not to notice that the server market over the last couple of years has become more competitive. Not only is Intel competing with its own high market share, but x86 alternatives from AMD have scored big wins when it comes to per-core performance, and Arm implementations such as the Ampere Altra can enable unprecedented density at competitive performance as well. Here’s how they all stand, looking at top-of-stack offerings.
Top-of-Stack Competition | ||||
AnandTech | EPYC 7003 |
Amazon Graviton2 |
Ampere Altra |
Intel Xeon |
Platform | Milan | Graviton2 | QuickSilver | Ice Lake |
Processor | 7763 | Graviton2 | Q80-33 | 8380 |
uArch | Zen 3 | N1 | N1 | Sunny Cove |
Cores | 64 | 64 | 80 | 40 |
TDP | 280 W | ? | 250 W | 270 W |
Base Freq | 2450 | 2500 | 3300 | 2300 |
Turbo Freq | 3500 | 2500 | 3300 | 3400 |
All-Core | ~3200 | 2500 | 3300 | 3000 |
L3 Cache | 256 MB | 32 MB | 32 MB | 60 MB |
PCIe | 4.0 x128 | ? | 4.0 x128 | 4.0 x64 |
Chipset | On CPU | ? | On CPU | External |
DDR4 | 8 x 3200 | 8 x 3200 | 8 x 3200 | 8 x 3200 |
DRAM Cap | 4 TB | ? | 4 TB | 4 TB |
Optane | No | No | No | Yes |
Price | $7890 | N/A | $4050 | $8099 |
At 40 cores, Intel does look a little behind, especially as Ampere is currently at 80 cores and a higher frequency, and will come out with a 128-core Altra Max version here very shortly. This means Ampere will be able to enable more cores in a single socket than Intel can in two sockets. Intel’s competitive advantage however will be the large current install base and decades of optimization, as well as new security features and its total offering to the market.
On a pure x86 level, AMD launched Milan only a few weeks ago, with its new Zen 3 core which has been highly impressive. Using a chiplet based approach, AMD has over 1000 mm2 of silicon to spread across 64 high performance cores and massive amounts of IO. Compared to Intel, which is around 660 mm2 and monolithic, AMD has the chipset onboard in its IO die, whereas Intel keeps it external which saves a good amount of idle power. Top of stack pricing between AMD and Intel is similar now, however AMD is also focusing in the mid-range with products like the 7F53 which really impressed us. We’ll see what Intel can respond with.
In our numbers today, we’ll be comparing Intel’s top-of-stack to everyone else. The battle royale of behemoths.
Gen on Gen Improvements: ISO Power
It is also important to look at what Intel is offering generationally in a like-for-like comparison. Intel’s 28-core 205 W point for the previous generation Cascade Lake is a good stake in the ground, and the Intel Xeon Gold 6258R is the dual socket equivalent of the Platinum 8280. We reviewed the two and they performed identically.
For this review, we’ve put the 40-core Xeon Platinum 8380 down to 205 W to see the effect of performance. But perhaps more in line, we also have the Xeon Gold 6330 which is a direct 28-core and 205 W replacement.
Intel Xeon Comparison: 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen 2P, 205 W vs 205 W |
|||
Xeon Gold 6330 |
Xeon Plat 8352Y |
AnandTech | Xeon Gold 6258R |
28 / 56 | 32 / 64 | Cores / Threads | 28 / 56 |
2000 MHz Base 3100 MHz ST 2600 MHz MT |
2200 MHz Base 3400 MHz ST 2800 MHz MT |
Base Freq ST Freq MT Freq |
2700 MHz Base 4000 MHz ST 3300 MHz MT |
35 MB + 42 MB | 40 MB + 48 MB | L2 + L3 Cache | 28 MB + 38.5 MB |
205 W | 205 W | TDP | 205 W |
PCIe 4.0 x64 | PCIe 4.0 x64 | PCIe | PCIe 3.0 x48 |
8 x DDR4-3200 | 8 x DDR4-3200 | DRAM Support | 6 x DDR4-2933 |
4 TB | 4 TB | DRAM Capacity | 1 TB |
200-series | 200-series | Optane | 100-series |
4 TB Optane + 2 TB DRAM |
4 TB Optane + 2 TB DRAM |
Optane Capacity Per Socket |
1 TB DDR4-2666 + 1.5 TB |
64 GB | 64 GB | SGX Enclave | None |
1P, 2P | 1P, 2P | Socket Support | 1P, 2P |
3 x 11.2 GT/s | 3x 11.2 GT/s | UPI Links | 3 x 10.4 GT/s |
$1894 | $3450 | Price (1ku) | $3950 |
So the 6330 might seem like a natural fit, however, the 8352Y feels better given that it is more equivalent in price and offers more performance. Intel is promoting a +20% raw performance boost with the new generation, which is important here, because the 8352Y still loses 500 MHz to the previous generation in all-core frequency. The 8352Y and 6330 do make it up in the extra features, such as DDR4 channels, memory support, PCIe 4.0, Optane support, SGX enclave support, and faster UPI links.
This review has a few of our 6330 numbers that we’ve been able to run in the short time we’ve had the system.
169 Comments
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Shorty_ - Thursday, April 8, 2021 - link
did you read the article before commenting?I'm inclined to believe him-- I think yields are still an issue (which is why they have so many dark cores) and that getting enough chips to meet demand on the 40 core parts will be tough.
Hifihedgehog - Saturday, April 17, 2021 - link
LOL Gondalf. Who pays $1000 for your thoughts?DannyH246 - Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - link
Another Intel marketing presentation from www.IntelTech.comLet me summarize - slower, hotter, pricier than the AMD equivalent. Zero reason to buy.
SarahKerrigan - Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - link
"As impressive as the new Xeon 8380 is from a generational and technical stand-point, what really matters at the end of the day is how it fares up to the competition. I’ll be blunt here; nobody really expected the new ICL-SP parts to beat AMD or the new Arm competition – and it didn’t."How is that "Intel marketing"?
ParalLOL - Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - link
In this case you did not even need to read the article to know what the tone would be. I guess Danny did not manage to read the title either.fallaha56 - Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - link
how? the chip isn't worth touching with bargepolethat's if the 38-40 core parts are actually available
which they won't be
and what sysadmin is going to go demand this when Milan is a drop in replacement and Intel next-gen is an entirely new platform
Azix - Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - link
Are you assuming they won't be because semiaccurate said so? They have 100% track record? Didn't he also say Rocket Lake S wouldn't clock high at all?yeeeeman - Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - link
this ain't intel marketing presentation. This is a laid back, relaxed, non-biased and professional review. Not everyone hates Intel with their whole heart and not every reviewer hunts for clicks, so as to say that the new Intel server chip are shit. In the grand scheme of things, sure, they are not competitive, BUT Intel still has a few advantages over AMD that for some customers it might matter more than absolute performance.In the server space, price, dependability, upgradeability, quality and support is the name of the game. AMD, as we know even from consumer products isn't that amazing when it comes to drivers, BIOS quality and fixing bugs, whereas Intel is much more reliable in this regard. Sure, sure, you might say I am a fanboy, but first check what I say and then call me that if you want. Nevertheless, Intel needs Sapphire Rapids badly because even with all their advantages, they will keep losing marketshare.
fallaha56 - Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - link
absolute nonsense from a fanboi yesIntel is currently slower, buggier and overpriced with horrific security issues meaning you can have: slow and insecure or even slower and barely secure
and who ever thought servers would regularly need watercooling
also what on Earth are you talking about upgrades? this entire platform is getting chucked shortly while AMD has offered multiple generations on the same platform for years with an upgrade bringing DDR5 and PCIe 5
fallaha56 - Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - link
wonderfully summed up here:https://semiaccurate.com/2021/04/06/intels-ice-lak...