Intel Processors Buyers Guide
What is an Intel CPU / Processor ?
Serving as the brain of any PC, the Central Processing Unit, or the CPU, is one of the most important components to consider when buying or building a new DESKTOP COMPUTER. Intel is undoubtedly the biggest player in this market and in this buyer's guide we'll provide an overview of the key Intel desktop CPU families with suggestions of which to choose depending on your needs and usage – from simple web browsing right through to content creation and gaming Another thing to consider when choosing the right CPU is making sure you choose a compatible motherboard and we'll indicate this for each processor family as we go through them. Intel is constantly updating their product range which could make it confusing to know if you're buying the latest and greatest version.
The easiest way to tell is to look at what architecture the processor is, this essentially refers to the generation of that product which you'll always find in the product description and in this buyers guide we'll highlight which is the latest architecture for each processor family.
Core or Xeon?
Intel has two main ranges of desktop CPU, each aimed at different uses.
Intel Core CPUs are optimised for gaming and content creation plus everyday office applications. Continue following this guide if you’re building a PC for these sorts of tasks.
In contrast, Intel Xeon W CPUs are optimised for professional workstations running the most demanding applications. Follow the link to see what sets Xeon W processors apart from their Core counterparts.
Intel Desktop Processors
To help consumers pick an Intel processor, their chips are split into unique families whose characteristics best represent.
Intel Core i9 Processors
You really can’t go wrong with a Core i9 processor, these are Intel’s fastest and most advanced desktop processors. The latest 14th generation CPUs feature a hybrid architecture with eight P-cores and 16 E-cores for superb performance in games, intensive content creation applications and are also great for multitasking.
| Gaming | 10 | |||||||||
| Streaming | 10 | |||||||||
| Content Creation | 10 | |||||||||
| Multitasking | 10 | |||||||||
Latest generation14th gen, Raptor Lake Refresh architecture
Compatible motherboard chipsetsIntel Z790, Z760, H770, B760, H670, B660, H610
3XS recommendsIntel Core i9 14900K
Intel Core i7 Processors
Moving down the range to Core i7, these processors still provide high-end performance and features. Compared to the more powerful Core i9 CPUs, the latest generation 14th gen Core i7s have the same eight P-cores, but have 12 E-cores so aren’t quite as capable for content creation workloads or when multitasking.
| Gaming | 8 | |||||||||
| Streaming | 8 | |||||||||
| Content Creation | 8 | |||||||||
| Multitasking | 8 | |||||||||
Latest generation14th gen, Raptor Lake Refresh architecture
Compatible motherboard chipsetsIntel Z790, Z760, H770, B760, H670, B660, H610
3XS recommendsIntel Core i7 14700K
Intel Core i5 Processors
Core i5 is Intel’s brand for its mid-range processors. The latest 14th generation Core i5s have six P-cores, two less than a Core i7 and eight E-cores, four less than a Core i7. While Core i5s are significantly slower than Core i7 for multithreaded tasks they are a great choice for a gaming PC.
| Gaming | 6 | |||||||||
| Streaming | 6 | |||||||||
| Content Creation | 6 | |||||||||
| Multitasking | 6 | |||||||||
Latest generation14th gen, Raptor Lake Refresh architecture
Compatible motherboard chipsetsIntel Z790, Z760, H770, B760, H670, B660, H610
3XS recommendsIntel Core i5 14600K
Intel Core i3 Processors
Core i3 is Intel’s brand for its highest spec entry-level processors. The latest 13th generation Core i3s have the same P-cores as Core i5, but only four of them. They also lack E-cores, so are significantly slower for intensive tasks such as content creation and multitasking. However, Core i3 CPUs are still a good choice for an entry-level gaming PC.
| Gaming | 4 | |||||||||
| Streaming | 4 | |||||||||
| Content Creation | 4 | |||||||||
| Multitasking | 4 | |||||||||
Latest generation13th gen, Raptor Lake architecture
Compatible motherboard chipsetsIntel Z790, Z760, H770, B760, H670, B660, H610
3XS recommendsIntel Core i3 13100
Intel Pentium Processors
Pentium is Intel’s brand for one its entry-level processors. The latest 12th generation Pentiums have the same P-cores as Core i3, but only two of them. Like, Core i3s, Pentiums also lack E-cores, so are not optimal for intensive tasks such as gaming, content creation and multitasking. However, Pentium CPUs are still a good choice for every day office applications.
| Gaming | 2 | |||||||||
| Streaming | 2 | |||||||||
| Content Creation | 2 | |||||||||
| Multitasking | 2 | |||||||||
Latest generation12th gen, Alder Lake architecture
Compatible motherboard chipsetsIntel Z690, H670, B660, H610
3XS recommendsIntel Pentium G7400
Intel Celeron Processors
Celeron is Intel’s other brand for its entry-level processors. The latest 12th generation Celerons have the same P-cores as Pentium, but do not support HyperThreading so only really suited for basic office applications.
| Gaming | 1 | |||||||||
| Streaming | 1 | |||||||||
| Content Creation | 1 | |||||||||
| Multitasking | 1 | |||||||||
Latest generation:12th gen, Alder Lake architecture
Compatible motherboard chipsetsIntel Z690, H670, B660, H610
3XS recommendsIntel Celeron G6900
Summary
Still not sure which Intel CPU is right for you? This table shows the key characteristics, rated out of 10, of the main processor families.
| CORE I9 | CORE I7 | CORE I5 | CORE I3 | PENTIUM | CELERON | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaming | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Streaming | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Content Creation | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Multitasking | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
We hope you've found this buyers guide helpful. Don't hesitate to speak to one of our friendly advisors for more advice if you still have questions on how to select the perfect CPU for your needs.
How to understand the names of Intel CPUs
In addition, to the named ranges of CPU, i.e. Core i9, i7 etc, Intel uses a string of numbers and letters to differentiate individual CPUs. This illustration will help you to decipher this alphabet soup.
Entry-Level CPUs
The naming scheme for Pentium and Celeron CPUs is a bit different as illustrated below.
For reference, here are the full specifications of all the latest Intel desktop CPUs.
| Series |
|---|
| Model |
| Generation |
| Architecture |
| Socket |
| P-cores / Threads |
| E-cores / Threads |
| Base Frequency |
| Turbo Frequency |
| Cache |
| Memory Controller |
| Maximum Memory |
| DDR5 Memory Frequency |
| DDR4 Memory Frequency |
| PCIe 5.0 / 4.0 / 3.0 Lanes |
| Integrated GPU |
| TDP |
| Core i9 | Core i7 | Core i5 | Core i3 | Pentium | Celeron | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14900K | 14900KF | 14900 | 14900F | 13900KS | 13900K | 13900KF | 13900 | 13900F | 12900KS | 12900K | 12900KF | 12900 | 12900F | 14700K | 14700KF | 14700 | 14700F | 13700K | 13700KF | 13700 | 13700F | 12700K | 12700KF | 12700 | 12700F | 14600K | 14600KF | 14500 | 14400 | 14400F | 13600K | 13600KF | 13600 | 13500 | 13400 | 13400F | 12600K | 12600KF | 12600 | 12500 | 12400 | 12400F | 14100 | 14100F | 13100 | 13100F | 12300 | 12100 | 12100F | G7400 | G6900 |
| 14th | 14th | 14th | 14th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 14th | 14th | 14th | 14th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 14th | 14th | 14th | 14th | 14th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 13th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 14th | 14th | 13th | 13th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th | 12th |
| Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake Refresh | Raptor Lake | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake | Alder Lake |
| S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 | S1700 |
| 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 12 / 12 | 12 / 12 | 12 / 12 | 12 / 12 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| 3.2GHz | 3.2GHz | TBC | TBC | 3.2GHz | 3.0GHz | 3.0GHz | 2.0GHz | 2.0GHz | 3.4GHz | 3.2GHz | 3.2GHz | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz | 3.4GHz | 3.4GHz | TBC | TBC | 3.6GHz | 3.6GHz | 2.1GHz | 2.1GHz | 3.6GHz | 3.6GHz | 2.1GHz | 2.1GHz | 3.5GHz | 3.5GHz | TBC | TBC | TBC | 3.7GHz | 3.7GHz | 2.7GHz | 2.5GHz | 2.5GHz | 2.5GHz | 3.7GHz | 3.7GHz | 3.3GHz | 3.0GHz | 2.5GHz | 2.5GHz | TBC | TBC | 3.4GHz | 3.4GHz | 3.5GHz | 3.3GHz | 3.3GHz | 3.7GHz | 3.4GHz |
| 6.0GHz | 6.0GHz | 5.8GHz | 5.8GHz | 6.0GHz | 5.8GHz | 5.8GHz | 5.6GHz | 5.6GHz | 5.5GHz | 5.1GHz | 5.1GHz | 5.1GHz | 5.1GHz | 5.6GHz | 5.6GHz | 5.4GHz | 5.4GHz | 5.7GHz | 5.7GHz | 5.2GHz | 5.2GHz | 4.9GHz | 4.9GHz | 4.9GHz | 4.9GHz | 5.3GHz | 5.3GHz | 5.0GHz | 4.7GHz | 4.7GHz | 5.1GHz | 5.1GHz | 5.0GHz | 4.8GHz | 4.6GHz | 4.6GHz | 4.9GHz | 4.9GHz | 4.8GHz | 4.6GHz | 4.4GHz | 4.4GHz | 4.7GHz | 4.7GHz | 4.5GHz | 4.5GHz | 4.4GHz | 4.3GHz | 4.3GHz | ✖ | ✖ |
| 36MB | 36MB | 36MB | 36MB | 36MB | 36MB | 36MB | 36MB | 36MB | 30MB | 30MB | 30MB | 30MB | 30MB | 33MB | 33MB | 33MB | 33MB | 30MB | 30MB | 30MB | 30MB | 25MB | 25MB | 25MB | 25MB | 24MB | 24MB | 24MB | 20MB | 20MB | 24MB | 24MB | 24MB | 24MB | 20MB | 20MB | 20MB | 20MB | 18MB | 18MB | 18MB | 18MB | 12MB | 12MB | 12MB | 12MB | 12MB | 12MB | 12MB | 6MB | 4MB |
| Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
Dual- channel |
| 192GB | 192GB | 192GB | 192GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 192GB | 192GB | 192GB | 192GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 192GB | 192GB | 192GB | 192GB | 192GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 192GB | 192GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB |
| 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,200MHz | 5,200MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,200MHz | 5,200MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,200MHz | 5,200MHz | 5,200MHz | 5,600MHz | 5,600MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 5,200MHz | 5,200MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz |
| 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz | 3,200MHz |
| 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 | 16 / 4 / 0 |
| ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 125W | 125W | 65W | 65W | 150W | 125W | 125W | 65W | 65W | 150W | 125W | 125W | 65W | 65W | 125W | 125W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 125W | 125W | 65W | 65W | 125W | 125W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 125W | 125W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 60W | 60W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 65W | 46W | 46W | 46W | 46W |
Intel Workstation Processors
Core i9, Core i7 and Core i5 CPUs are still a valid choice for workstations, just bear in mind that performance and multitasking capabilities will decrease as you go down the ranges. For this reason, Intel also offer a range of dedicated workstation processors derived from its Xeon server range. These are termed Xeon W and provide greater reliability and security in a wide range of creative applications, with expanded platform capabilities for VFX, rendering, complex CAD, CAE and AI. To help users pick the most suitable Intel Xeon W processor, their chips are divided into several families.
Intel Xeon W-3400 Processors
Intel Xeon W-3400 processors are designed for high-end single-socket workstations, offering more cores, more memory capacity and bandwidth and more PCIe lanes that the Xeon W-2400 series. These processors are designed for heavily multithreaded, I/O-intensive workloads across architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), media and entertainment (M&E), artificial intelligence (AI), oil & gas, and data sciences. Xeon W-3400 CPUs provide up to 56 cores and 112 threads, support for up to 4TB of 8-channel DDR5 ECC Registered memory and 112 lanes of PCIe 5.0 lanes for add-in cards and NVMe SSDs. The range comprises W5, W7 and W9 models, progressively adding in more cores as you go up the product stack.
| CAD | 10 | |||||||||
| CAE | 10 | |||||||||
| VFX | 10 | |||||||||
| RENDERING | 10 | |||||||||
| AI | 10 | |||||||||
LATEST ACHITECTURESapphire Rapids
COMPATIBLE MOTHERBOARDSW790
PREVIOUS GENERATIONXeon W-3200
Intel Xeon W-2400 Processors
Intel Xeon W-2400 processors are designed for high-end single-socket workstations, having fewer cores, less memory capacity and bandwidth and fewer PCIe lanes that the Xeon W-2400 series. These processors are designed for multithreaded, I/O-intensive workloads across architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), media and entertainment (M&E), artificial intelligence (AI), oil & gas, and data sciences. Xeon W-2400 CPUs provide up to 24 cores and 48 threads, support for up to 2TB of 4-channel DDR5 ECC Registered memory and 64 lanes of PCIe 5.0 lanes for add-in cards and NVMe SSDs. The range comprises W3, W5 and W7 models, progressively adding in more cores as you go up the product stack.
| CAD | 8 | |||||||||
| CAE | 8 | |||||||||
| VFX | 8 | |||||||||
| RENDERING | 8 | |||||||||
| AI | 8 | |||||||||
LATEST ACHITECTURESapphire Rapids
COMPATIBLE MOTHERBOARDSW790
PREVIOUS GENERATIONIntel Xeon W-2100
Intel Xeon W-1200 Processors
Designed for mid-range workstations, Intel Xeon W processors provide thoroughbred performance with the built-in platform security features and reliability that professional users demand. A step up from desktop PC Core processors Xeon W processors support ECC memory technology to improve data integrity and system uptime.
The Xeon W-1200 family features up to 10 cores and 20 threads, support for up to 128GB of DDR4 ECC memory and 16 PCI-E 3.0 lanes for add-in cards and NVMe SSDs.
| CAD | 5 | |||||||||
| CAE | 5 | |||||||||
| VFX | 5 | |||||||||
| RENDERING | 5 | |||||||||
| AI | 5 | |||||||||
LATEST ACHITECTUREComet Lake
COMPATIBLE MOTHERBOARDSW480
PREVIOUS GENERATIONNot applicable – Xeon W-1200 is a new product range
Summary
Still not sure which Intel Xeon W CPU is right for you? This table shows the key characteristics, rated out of 10, and also the specifications of the main processor families.
| XEON W-3400 | XEON W-2400 | XEON W-1200 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RATINGS | |||
| CAD | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| CAE | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| VFX | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| RENDERING | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| AI | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| SPECS | |||
| Generation | 3rd | 3rd | 10th |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids | Sapphire Rapids | Comet Lake |
| Socket | 4677 | 4677 | 1200 |
| Maximum Cores / Threads | 56 / 112 | 24 / 48 | 10 / 20 |
| Base Frequency | 3.2GHz | 3.2GHz | 3.7GHz |
| Turbo Frequency | 4.8GHz | 4.8GHz | 5.3GHz |
| Cache | 105MB | 45MB | 20MB |
| Memory Controller | Eight-channel | Four-channel | Dual-channel |
| Maximum Memory | 4TB | 2TB ECC Reg | 128GB ECC |
| Memory Type | DDR5 ECC Registered | DDR5 ECC Registered | DDR 4 ECC |
| Memory Frequency | 4,800MHz | 4,800MHz | 2,933MHz |
| PCIe 5.0 / 4.0 / 3.0 lanes | 112 / 0 / 0 | 64 / 0 / 0 | 64 / 0 / 0 |
| Integrated GPU | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Maximum TDP | 420W | 270W | 125W |