Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus specifications and in-depth review

Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus is a high-performance enterprise CPU designed for demanding workloads. With a base clock speed of 2.2 GHz and 56 threads, it provides efficient multi-threading capabilities for large-scale applications.

This processor supports ECC memory and utilizes DDR5 technology, enabling reliable and fast performance. Its thermal design power (TDP) is 205W, and it supports a maximum memory size of 4000GB, with a high RAM speed of up to 4800 MHz. The CPU also features a turbo boost speed of 4 GHz for enhanced performance under heavy load.

Pros
  • Supports ECC memory for improved data integrity in critical applications.
  • Equipped with 8 memory channels and supports up to 4000GB of RAM, making it suitable for large-scale workloads.
  • Capable of reaching a turbo boost speed of 4 GHz, offering enhanced performance under load.
  • Supports multithreading, allowing efficient parallel processing for demanding tasks.
Cons
  • Does not include integrated graphics, limiting its use in systems that require GPU capabilities.
  • Has a thermal design power (TDP) of 205W, which may require advanced cooling solutions.
  • Has no unlocked multiplier, limiting overclocking potential for users seeking to push performance further.
Who is this for?

The Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus is well-suited for high-performance, enterprise-level workloads, especially in environments requiring large amounts of memory. With support for up to 4000GB of RAM and ECC memory, it is ideal for applications where data integrity and memory capacity are critical. The processor's multithreading capabilities and turbo boost up to 4 GHz make it excellent for demanding parallel processing tasks, such as data analysis, virtualization, and server workloads.

Who is this NOT for?

This processor is not ideal for users who require integrated graphics, as the Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus does not include any. Additionally, its 205W TDP suggests that it may require substantial cooling solutions, making it less suitable for compact or energy-efficient systems. The lack of an unlocked multiplier also limits its appeal for those interested in overclocking to push the performance further for specialized tasks like gaming or custom performance tuning.

General info:

Thermal Design Power (TDP) 205W
release date December 2023
semiconductor size 10 nm
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
Supports 64-bit
CPU temperature 96 °C
Has integrated graphics

The Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus features a 205W TDP, ensuring effective power management for demanding tasks. It is built on a 10 nm semiconductor size and supports PCIe 5.0 for fast data transfer. This processor also supports 64-bit architecture, providing enhanced computing capabilities. However, it does not have integrated graphics, and the CPU operates at a temperature of 96 °C under load.

Performance:

CPU speed 28 x 2.2 GHz
CPU threads 56 threads
turbo clock speed 4GHz
L3 cache 52.5 MB
clock multiplier 22
Has an unlocked multiplier
L3 core 1.88 MB/core
Turbo Boost version 2

The Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus offers a total of 56 threads and a base clock speed of 2.2 GHz, with a turbo boost reaching up to 4 GHz for enhanced performance under load. It is equipped with a substantial 52.5 MB L3 cache, providing quick access to critical data. The processor also features a clock multiplier of 22, though it does not have an unlocked multiplier for overclocking flexibility.

Memory:

Supports ECC memory
DDR memory version 5
RAM speed (max) 4800 MHz
maximum memory amount 4000GB
memory channels 8
bus transfer rate 20 GT/s

The Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus supports ECC memory, ensuring data integrity for critical applications. It is compatible with DDR5 memory and can achieve a maximum RAM speed of 4800 MHz. The processor features 8 memory channels and supports a bus transfer rate of 20 GT/s, with the ability to handle up to 4000GB of maximum memory for large-scale workloads.

Features:

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

The Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus supports multithreading, enabling efficient parallel processing. It is equipped with a range of instruction sets, including MMX, FMA3, AES, AVX, and SSE 4.1/4.2, enhancing its computational versatility. Additionally, the processor includes the NX bit, providing improved security by preventing the execution of certain types of malicious code.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result 61227
PassMark result (single) 3216

The Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus achieves a strong PassMark result of 61227, reflecting its overall processing power. For single-threaded tasks, it scores 3216 in the PassMark single-thread test, showcasing its capability to handle demanding workloads effectively in both multi-threaded and single-threaded scenarios.

Final Verdict

The Intel Xeon Gold 5520 Plus is a high-performance enterprise CPU ideal for demanding workloads, offering multithreading support and up to 4000GB of RAM. With a turbo boost up to 4 GHz and robust memory capabilities, it excels in environments requiring reliability and large-scale processing. However, its lack of integrated graphics and substantial TDP may limit its use in more compact or energy-conscious systems. Overall, it's a strong choice for enterprise and server applications where raw processing power and memory capacity are critical.

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