Xeon is a brand of x86 microprocessors designed, manufactured, and marketed by Intel, targeted at the non-consumer workstation, server, and embedded markets. It was introduced in June 1998. Xeon processors are based on the same architecture as regular desktop-grade CPUs, but have advanced features such as support for error correction code (ECC) memory, higher core counts, more PCI Express lanes, support for larger amounts of RAM, larger cache memory and extra provision for enterprise-grade reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features responsible for handling hardware exceptions through the Machine Check Architecture (MCA). They are often capable of safely continuing execution where a normal processor cannot due to these extra RAS features, depending on the type and severity of the machine-check exception (MCE). Some also support multi-socket systems with two, four, or eight sockets through use of the Ultra Path Interconnect (UPI) bus, which replaced the older QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) bus.
The land grid array (LGA) is a type of surface-mount packaging for integrated circuits (ICs) that is notable for having the pins on the socket — as opposed to pins on the integrated circuit, known as a pin grid array (PGA). An LGA can be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) either by the use of a socket or by soldering directly to the board.
In the fields of digital electronics and computer hardware, multi-channel memory architecture is a technology that increases the data transfer rate between the DRAM memory and the memory controller by adding more channels of communication between them. Theoretically, this multiplies the data rate by exactly the number of channels present. Dual-channel memory employs two channels. The technique goes back as far as the 1960s having been used in IBM System/360 Model 91 and in CDC 6600.
Tick–tock was a production model adopted in 2007 by chip manufacturer Intel. Under this model, every microarchitecture change (tock) was followed by a die shrink of the process technology (tick). It was replaced by the process–architecture–optimization model, which was announced in 2016 and is like a tick–tock cycle followed by an optimization phase. As a general engineering model, tick–tock is a model that refreshes one side of a binary system each release cycle.
Intel Core is a line of multi-core central processing units (CPUs) for midrange, embedded, workstation, high-end and enthusiast computer markets marketed by Intel Corporation. These processors displaced the existing mid- to high-end Pentium processors at the time of their introduction, moving the Pentium to the entry level. Identical or more capable versions of Core processors are also sold as Xeon processors for the server and workstation markets.
LGA 2011, also called Socket R, is a CPU socket by Intel released on November 14, 2011. It launched along with LGA 1356 to replace its predecessor, LGA 1366 and LGA 1567. While LGA 1356 was designed for dual-processor or low-end servers, LGA 2011 was designed for high-end desktops and high-performance servers. The socket has 2011 protruding pins that touch contact points on the underside of the processor.
Skylake is Intel's codename for its sixth generation Core microprocessor family that was launched on August 5, 2015, succeeding the Broadwell microarchitecture. Skylake is a microarchitecture redesign using the same 14 nm manufacturing process technology as its predecessor, serving as a tock in Intel's tick–tock manufacturing and design model. According to Intel, the redesign brings greater CPU and GPU performance and reduced power consumption. Skylake CPUs share their microarchitecture with Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake, Whiskey Lake, and Comet Lake CPUs.
Epyc is a brand of multi-core x86-64 microprocessors designed and sold by AMD, based on the company's Zen microarchitecture. Introduced in June 2017, they are specifically targeted for the server and embedded system markets.
Sapphire Rapids is a codename for Intel's server and workstation processors based on the Golden Cove microarchitecture and produced using Intel 7. It features up to 60 cores and an array of accelerators, and it is the first generation of Intel server and workstation processors to use a chiplet design.
Zen 4 is the name for a CPU microarchitecture designed by AMD, released on September 27, 2022. It is the successor to Zen 3 and uses TSMC's N6 process for I/O dies, N5 process for CCDs, and N4 process for APUs. Zen 4 powers Ryzen 7000 performance desktop processors, Ryzen 8000G series mainstream desktop APUs, and Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series HEDT and workstation processors. It is also used in extreme mobile processors, thin & light mobile processors, as well as EPYC 8004/9004 server processors.
Zen 5 is the name for a CPU microarchitecture by AMD, shown on their roadmap in May 2022, launched for mobile in July 2024 and for desktop in August 2024. It is the successor to Zen 4 and is currently fabricated on TSMC's N4X process. Zen 5 is also planned to be fabricated on the N3E process in the future.
Alder Lake is Intel's codename for the 12th generation of Intel Core processors based on a hybrid architecture utilizing Golden Cove performance cores and Gracemont efficient cores. It is fabricated using Intel's Intel 7 process, previously referred to as Intel 10 nm Enhanced SuperFin (10ESF). The 10ESF has a 10%-15% boost in performance over the 10SF used in the mobile Tiger Lake processors. Intel officially announced 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs on October 27, 2021, mobile CPUs and non-K series desktop CPUs on January 4, 2022, Alder Lake-P and -U series on February 23, 2022, and Alder Lake-HX series on May 10, 2022.
Socket AM5 is a zero insertion force flip-chip land grid array (LGA) CPU socket designed by AMD that is used for AMD Ryzen microprocessors starting with the Zen 4 microarchitecture. AM5 was launched in September 2022 and is the successor to AM4.
Emerald Rapids is the codename for Intel's fifth generation Xeon Scalable server processors based on the Intel 7 node. Emerald Rapids CPUs are designed for data centers; the roughly contemporary Raptor Lake is intended for desktop and mobile usage. Nevine Nassif is a chief engineer for this generation.
Sierra Forest is the codename for sixth generation Xeon Scalable server processors designed by Intel, launched in June 2024. It is the first generation of Xeon processors to exclusively feature density-optimized E-cores. Sierra Forest processors are targeted towards cloud server customers with up to 288 Crestmont E-cores.
Granite Rapids is the codename for 6th generation Xeon Scalable server processors designed by Intel, set to launch in 2024. Featuring up to 128 P-cores, Granite Rapids is designed for high performance computing applications. The platform equivalent Sierra Forest processors with up to 288 E-cores launched in June 2024 before Granite Rapids.
Raptor Lake is Intel's codename for the 13th and 14th generations of Intel Core processors based on a hybrid architecture, utilizing Raptor Cove performance cores and Gracemont efficient cores. Like Alder Lake, Raptor Lake is fabricated using Intel's Intel 7 process. Raptor Lake features up to 24 cores and 32 threads and is socket compatible with Alder Lake systems. Like earlier generations, Raptor Lake processors also need accompanying chipsets. Raptor Lake CPUs have suffered issues such as elevated voltage which leads to system instability and can cause permanent damage.
Socket SP5 is a zero insertion force land grid array CPU socket designed by AMD supporting its Zen 4-based Epyc server processors codenamed Genoa that launched on November 10, 2022.
LGA 4677 is a zero insertion force flip-chip land grid array (LGA) CPU socket designed by Intel, compatible with Sapphire Rapids server and workstation processors, which was released in January 2023.
LGA 4710 is a zero insertion force flip-chip land grid array (LGA) socket designed by Intel that is used by Sierra Forest, a line of E-core only Xeon processors designed for heavily multithreaded cloud workloads. It is expected to also support the upcoming Granite Rapids line of mainstream server processors.
