DELL Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 2.6 GHz 8-Core 20MB L3 90W server processor 462-9836

Eight-core Xeon for multi-threaded server workloads

The Dell 462-9836 delivers an Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 with eight cores and sixteen threads at a 2.6 GHz base frequency. Turbo can reach 3.4 GHz for burst demand. A 20 MB L3 cache and 22 nm Haswell architecture keep data close to the execution units. The 90 W thermal envelope fits standard dual-socket power budgets. This processor targets virtualisation hosts, database nodes and compute clusters that need density without extreme single-thread speed.

LGA 2011-3 socket and quad-channel memory layout

The FCLGA2011-3 interface locks the chip into compatible server boards with four memory channels per socket. Eight GT/s QPI links enable coherent traffic between two processors in a dual-socket chassis. Hyper-Threading and hardware virtualisation extensions are both present, so each core can run two logical threads under a hypervisor. The 90 W TDP means existing coolers rated for this socket class will handle thermal load without modification.

Replaces earlier Xeon E5 v1

Moving from a six-core or lower-frequency v1/v2 CPU to this eight-core v3 unit adds two cores, larger L3 cache and higher turbo headroom while keeping the same 90 W envelope. The upgrade is worthwhile when licence costs scale per socket and extra threads reduce the number of hosts required. Buyers who need more than sixteen threads per socket or support for newer instruction sets will need a later platform.