Intel Xeon 6737P
Intel Xeon 6738P

Intel Xeon 6737P Intel Xeon 6738P

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth specification comparison between the Intel Xeon 6737P and the Intel Xeon 6738P. These two server-grade processors share a remarkable amount of common ground, from their 3 nm architecture and 270W TDP to their extensive memory capabilities and instruction set support. Yet for professionals and data center architects seeking every last edge, the details matter. In this comparison, we examine how these two chips stack up across performance, memory, and core features to help you make the most informed decision.

Common Features

  • Both processors have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 270W.
  • Both processors are built on a 3 nm semiconductor process.
  • Both processors support PCI Express (PCIe) version 5.
  • Both processors support 64-bit computing.
  • Both processors have a maximum CPU temperature of 102 °C.
  • Neither processor has integrated graphics.
  • Both processors have a base CPU speed of 32 x 2.9 GHz.
  • Both processors have 64 CPU threads.
  • Both processors include 144 MB of L3 cache.
  • Both processors include 3584 KB of L1 cache.
  • Both processors include 64 MB of L2 cache.
  • Both processors have an L2 cache of 2 MB per core.
  • Both processors have a clock multiplier of 29.
  • Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.
  • Both processors support ECC memory.
  • Both processors use DDR5 memory.
  • Both processors support a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz.
  • Both processors support a maximum memory amount of 4000 GB.
  • Both processors have 8 memory channels.
  • Both processors have a bus transfer rate of 24 GT/s.
  • Both processors support multithreading.
  • Both processors support the same instruction sets: MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2.
  • Both processors have the NX bit feature.

Main Differences

  • Turbo clock speed is 4 GHz on the Intel Xeon 6737P and 4.2 GHz on the Intel Xeon 6738P.
Specs Comparison
Intel Xeon 6737P

Intel Xeon 6737P

Intel Xeon 6738P

Intel Xeon 6738P

General info:
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 270W 270W
release date February 2025 February 2025
semiconductor size 3 nm 3 nm
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5 5
Supports 64-bit
CPU temperature 102 °C 102 °C
Has integrated graphics

At the general architecture level, the Intel Xeon 6737P and Intel Xeon 6738P are virtually identical twins. Both are built on a 3 nm process node, support PCIe 5.0, operate within a 270W TDP envelope, and share the same 102 °C maximum junction temperature. Neither integrates graphics, and both are full 64-bit processors — all of which confirms they belong to the same product generation and platform, targeting the same class of server deployments.

The practical implication of their shared 270W TDP is significant for data center planning: both chips demand the same power delivery and cooling infrastructure, meaning there is no thermal or energy cost advantage to choosing one over the other at this level. The 3 nm fabrication node positions both processors at the leading edge of efficiency for this segment, and PCIe 5.0 support ensures compatibility with the latest high-bandwidth peripherals such as NVMe storage and next-generation accelerators.

Based strictly on the general info specs, these two processors are in a complete tie. There is no differentiator in this group — power consumption, process technology, interface generation, thermal limits, and feature support are identical across both SKUs. Buyers should look beyond general specs, to core count, cache, or clock speed differences, to find a meaningful distinction between the 6737P and 6738P.

Performance:
CPU speed 32 x 2.9 GHz 32 x 2.9 GHz
CPU threads 64 threads 64 threads
turbo clock speed 4GHz 4.2GHz
L3 cache 144 MB 144 MB
L1 cache 3584 KB 3584 KB
L2 cache 64 MB 64 MB
L2 core 2 MB/core 2 MB/core
clock multiplier 29 29
Has an unlocked multiplier
L3 core 4.5 MB/core 4.5 MB/core
Turbo Boost version 2 2

Both the Xeon 6737P and Xeon 6738P share an identical foundation: 32 cores running at a 2.9 GHz base clock, delivering 64 threads, with the same cache hierarchy across L1, L2, and L3. For sustained, multi-threaded server workloads — think large-scale virtualization, in-memory databases, or parallel batch processing — this shared architecture means both chips will perform identically under full load.

The one concrete differentiator in this group is the turbo clock speed: the 6738P reaches 4.2 GHz versus the 6737P's 4.0 GHz. That 200 MHz gap may look modest on paper, but in latency-sensitive or lightly-threaded workloads — where the processor boosts a small number of cores to maximum frequency — the 6738P has a measurable edge. Tasks like single-threaded financial calculations, real-time analytics queries, or certain web server request handling can directly benefit from that higher peak frequency.

The verdict for performance: the 6738P holds a narrow but real advantage due to its higher turbo ceiling, while everything else — base clock, thread count, and the full cache stack — is identical. Buyers whose workloads are predominantly multi-threaded and fully saturate all cores will see no practical difference; those running mixed or latency-sensitive workloads should favor the 6738P.

Memory:
Supports ECC memory
DDR memory version 5 5
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz 6400 MHz
maximum memory amount 4000GB 4000GB
memory channels 8 8
bus transfer rate 24 GT/s 24 GT/s

Memory is a domain where these two processors offer absolutely no room for differentiation. The Xeon 6737P and Xeon 6738P are spec-for-spec identical: both run DDR5 across 8 memory channels, top out at 6400 MHz, support up to 4000 GB of RAM, and sustain a bus transfer rate of 24 GT/s.

What these shared specs do tell us is meaningful for workload planning. Eight memory channels feeding DDR5 at 6400 MHz represents a very high aggregate memory bandwidth — critical for memory-bound workloads like large in-memory databases, HPC simulations, and AI inference. The 4000 GB capacity ceiling is generous enough to accommodate even the most RAM-intensive enterprise virtualization or in-memory analytics deployments. ECC support across both chips is a non-negotiable baseline for server-grade reliability, protecting against silent data corruption in mission-critical environments.

On memory, these two processors are an absolute tie with no distinguishing factor between them. Platform and memory configuration choices will be driven entirely by other spec groups — memory subsystem alone gives buyers no reason to prefer one SKU over the other.

Features:
uses multithreading
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2 MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has NX bit

Feature parity continues across the board. Both the Xeon 6737P and Xeon 6738P support the same instruction set extensions — including AVX2, FMA3, AES, and F16C — and both implement multithreading and the NX bit. For software compatibility and workload support, these two chips are interchangeable.

The instruction set lineup is worth unpacking for workload planners. AVX2 and FMA3 are essential for vectorized numerical computing, accelerating tasks like scientific simulations, signal processing, and machine learning inference on CPU. Hardware-accelerated AES is a practical necessity for any deployment involving encrypted storage or secure network traffic at scale, eliminating the CPU overhead that software-based encryption would impose. F16C adds native half-precision floating-point conversion, which is increasingly relevant in AI and media processing pipelines.

There is no differentiator to declare here — both SKUs are a complete tie on features. Any software stack or workload that runs optimally on one will run identically on the other. Buyers evaluating these chips on feature support alone will find no basis for preference between the two.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After a thorough side-by-side analysis, the Intel Xeon 6737P and Intel Xeon 6738P are nearly identical processors in almost every meaningful specification. Both deliver 32 cores at 2.9 GHz base clock, 64 threads, a massive 144 MB L3 cache, and support for up to 4000 GB of DDR5 ECC memory across 8 channels. The sole distinguishing factor is the turbo clock speed: the Xeon 6737P boosts to 4.0 GHz, while the Xeon 6738P reaches 4.2 GHz. For the vast majority of workloads, this difference will be negligible. However, in latency-sensitive or single-threaded peak-performance scenarios, the 6738P holds a slight advantage. Choose the 6737P if cost savings on a marginally slower boost clock are acceptable for your workload, and opt for the 6738P if squeezing out maximum turbo performance is a priority.

Intel Xeon 6737P
Buy Intel Xeon 6737P if...

Buy the Intel Xeon 6737P if you want a high-performance server processor and the difference in turbo clock speed is not critical to your workload requirements.

Intel Xeon 6738P
Buy Intel Xeon 6738P if...

Buy the Intel Xeon 6738P if you need the highest possible turbo clock speed, as its 4.2 GHz boost gives it a performance edge over the 6737P in peak-demand scenarios.