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Intel Xeon 6748P specifications and in-depth review

Intel Xeon 6748P

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Xeon 6748P is a high-core-count processor designed for demanding enterprise workloads, sitting firmly in the enterprise CPU category. With 48 physical cores running at a base speed of 2.5 GHz each, and a turbo clock speed reaching 4.1 GHz, it is built to handle compute-intensive server and data center applications. The chip is fabricated on a 3 nm process node and carries a thermal design power rating of 300W, reflecting the scale of its capabilities.

On the memory side, the Xeon 6748P supports DDR5 memory across eight channels at speeds up to 6400 MHz, with a maximum addressable memory capacity of 4000 GB and ECC support included. Cache resources are substantial, with 5376 KB of L1, 96 MB of L2 at 2 MB per core, and a 192 MB L3 cache at 4 MB per core. The processor supports PCI Express 5.0 with a bus transfer rate of 24 GT/s, runs 96 threads via multithreading, and includes instruction set extensions such as AVX2, AES, FMA3, and SSE 4.2. The clock multiplier is fixed at 25 with no unlocked multiplier option, and there is no integrated graphics unit on this die.

Pros
  • The 48-core configuration with 96 threads via multithreading allows a substantial number of parallel tasks to be handled simultaneously, which is directly relevant for multi-threaded server workloads
  • Support for up to 4000 GB of DDR5 ECC memory across eight channels makes the processor well-suited for large-scale in-memory databases and memory-intensive enterprise applications
  • A 192 MB L3 cache significantly reduces memory latency for workloads that repeatedly access large datasets
  • PCIe 5.0 support enables high-bandwidth connections to compatible storage and networking devices, benefiting I/O-heavy deployments
  • The inclusion of hardware AES acceleration and the NX bit provides dedicated support for encryption tasks and memory-level security at the hardware level
  • The broad instruction set support, including AVX2 and FMA3, allows vectorized and floating-point-heavy workloads to execute more efficiently
Cons
  • A 300W TDP places significant demands on server cooling infrastructure, requiring careful thermal planning in dense rack environments
  • The absence of integrated graphics means a dedicated video output solution is always required, even for basic server management tasks
  • The clock multiplier is locked at 25 with no option to adjust it, removing any flexibility for frequency tuning
  • A base clock of 2.5 GHz is relatively modest for the core count, and workloads that rely on single-threaded speed may not fully benefit from this configuration
Who is this for?

This processor is well-matched for large-scale enterprise server deployments that demand both high thread counts and expansive memory capacity. Organizations running virtualization platforms or containerized workloads will benefit from the 96-thread configuration and the ability to address up to 4000 GB of ECC DDR5 memory, which supports stable, error-corrected operation across many concurrent virtual machines. Environments that rely on data-intensive in-memory processing, such as large relational databases or analytics platforms, are also a natural fit given the 192 MB L3 cache and eight-channel memory architecture. The hardware AES instruction support further makes it appropriate for workloads with encryption and security requirements baked into their processing pipelines.

Who is this NOT for?

This processor is not a practical choice for workloads that depend on high single-threaded clock performance, as the 2.5 GHz base frequency and 4.1 GHz turbo ceiling leave limited headroom for tasks where per-core speed is the primary bottleneck. It is equally unsuitable for any deployment requiring integrated display output, since no integrated graphics are present and even minimal visual access to the system requires a discrete solution. The 300W TDP also makes it a poor fit for space-constrained or thermally limited environments, such as edge deployments or compact server enclosures where power delivery and cooling capacity are restricted.

General info:

Thermal Design Power (TDP) 300W
semiconductor size 3 nm
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
Supports 64-bit ✓
CPU temperature 102 °C
Has integrated graphics ✕

The Intel Xeon 6748P is built on a 3 nm semiconductor process and carries a Thermal Design Power of 300W, reflecting the sustained power draw expected under full server workloads. It supports the 64-bit instruction set and operates with a maximum junction temperature of 102 °C, giving a clear thermal ceiling for platform designers. The processor includes PCIe 5.0 connectivity, enabling high-bandwidth communication with compatible expansion devices, while integrated graphics are not present on this chip.

Performance:

CPU speed 48 x 2.5 GHz
CPU threads 96 threads
turbo clock speed 4.1GHz
L3 cache 192 MB
L1 cache 5376 KB
L2 cache 96 MB
L2 core 2 MB/core
clock multiplier 25
Has an unlocked multiplier ✕
L3 core 4 MB/core
Turbo Boost version 2

The Intel Xeon 6748P runs 48 cores at a base frequency of 2.5 GHz, delivering 96 threads in total, with Turbo Boost version 2 capable of pushing clock speeds up to 4.1 GHz on demand. The clock multiplier is set at 25 and cannot be adjusted, as the processor does not feature an unlocked multiplier. Cache resources are layered across three levels: 5376 KB of L1, 96 MB of L2 at 2 MB per core, and a 192 MB L3 cache allocated at 4 MB per core, providing a substantial pool of fast-access memory to support high-throughput workloads.

Memory:

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

The Intel Xeon 6748P supports DDR5 memory across eight channels, with a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz and a bus transfer rate of 24 GT/s, enabling substantial memory bandwidth for data-intensive server applications. The processor can address up to 4000 GB of total memory, making it well-suited for large in-memory workloads, and it includes full support for ECC memory to help maintain data integrity in enterprise environments.

Features:

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

The Intel Xeon 6748P supports multithreading, allowing each physical core to handle two threads simultaneously for more efficient utilization under parallel workloads. It includes the NX bit for hardware-level memory protection against certain classes of malicious code execution. The processor also carries a broad set of instruction set extensions — MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2 — covering accelerated floating-point operations, hardware-assisted encryption, and packed data processing across a range of computational tasks.

Benchmarks:

Final Verdict

The Intel Xeon 6748P is a processor built with a clear and specific purpose: to serve as a computational backbone for large-scale enterprise infrastructure. Its combination of 48 cores, 96 threads, and support for up to 4000 GB of ECC DDR5 memory across eight channels makes it a capable foundation for virtualization, in-memory databases, and security-sensitive workloads. The 192 MB L3 cache paired with the eight-channel DDR5 memory subsystem represents the most compelling aspect of its specification set, enabling sustained throughput for data-heavy applications. Naturally, its 300W thermal footprint and locked clock multiplier mean it demands a well-resourced server environment and is not suited for every deployment scenario. For organizations operating at the scale where these specifications are relevant, the Xeon 6748P represents a purposefully engineered enterprise solution that delivers where it is designed to.

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