Intel CD8069504194001 Xeon Gold 6240 18-Core Server Processor

Name: Intel CD8069504194001 Xeon Gold 6240 18-Core Server Processor
Brand: Intel
SKU: CD8069504194001

Overview

The Intel Xeon Gold 6240 is an 18-core, 36-thread Cascade Lake processor operating at a 2.60GHz base clock with a 3.90GHz maximum single-core turbo, on the FCLGA3647 platform. The 24.75MB L3 cache services 18 cores without becoming a bandwidth bottleneck, and the six-channel DDR4-2933 memory controller is the processor's most practically significant specification for data-center workloads — six channels at 2933 MHz deliver approximately 140 GB/s of theoretical memory bandwidth per socket, a figure that directly determines throughput for in-memory databases, large-dataset analytics, and memory-bound HPC tasks. The 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes give system designers flexibility to populate a server with multiple high-bandwidth peripherals concurrently without the lane-splitting compromises that appear at lower lane counts.

The 6240 targets mid-range two-socket server builds in enterprise environments — virtualization hosts running VMware ESXi or Hyper-V, database servers running SQL Server or PostgreSQL with large working sets, and HPC nodes in molecular dynamics or financial simulation clusters. The three UPI links make dual-socket deployment straightforward, and the 36-core, 72-thread dual-socket configuration covers most consolidation workloads without requiring the cost premium of Platinum-tier processors. The 150W TDP is manageable in standard 1U/2U chassis but demands proper thermal planning. This is a mature, well-characterized platform — BIOS and driver stability is excellent across major OEM server lines, and workload performance is well-benchmarked, making procurement decisions straightforward for infrastructure teams.

Specifications

CPU Series

2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable (Gold 6200)

Socket

FCLGA3647 (Socket P)

Base Frequency

2.60 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

3.90 GHz

Core Count

18

Thread Count

36

L3 Cache

24.75 MB

TDP

150W

Max Memory

1 TB

Memory Type

DDR4-2933

Memory Channels

6

ECC Support

Yes

UPI Links

3

Lithography

14 nm

PCIe Revision

3.0

PCIe Lanes

48

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Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

3.90GHz max turbo frequency on 18 cores enables sustained single-threaded performance for latency-sensitive workloads alongside parallel throughput.
Six-channel DDR4-2933 memory controller delivers substantially higher memory bandwidth than quad-channel consumer platforms, directly benefiting in-memory database and analytics workloads.
48 PCIe 3.0 lanes support simultaneous high-bandwidth peripherals — dual GPUs, NVMe arrays, and 100GbE NICs — without lane contention.
Three UPI links enable cache-coherent dual-socket configurations, doubling core count and memory capacity without platform redesign.
ECC memory support across all 6 channels provides hardware-level error correction, essential for 24/7 production workloads.

👎 Cons

150W TDP demands purpose-built server cooling infrastructure — this processor cannot be deployed in consumer cases or with standard aftermarket coolers.
PCIe 3.0 rather than PCIe 4.0 limits bandwidth to the newest NVMe SSDs and AI accelerators that benefit from Gen 4 throughput.
14nm Cascade Lake lithography is two process nodes behind current server silicon, resulting in higher per-core power consumption relative to newer Ice Lake or Sapphire Rapids platforms.
FCLGA3647 platform investment is a dead end — no future Intel server processor will use this socket, limiting platform longevity.
No integrated graphics; server deployment requires either a management card or a discrete GPU for initial setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What socket does this processor require, and is it compatible with first-generation Xeon Scalable platforms?

The Xeon Gold 6240 uses the FCLGA3647 (Socket P) socket. It is a 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable (Cascade Lake) processor. While the socket is physically the same as 1st Gen Skylake-SP platforms, Cascade Lake requires platform and BIOS support — not all 1st Gen boards support 2nd Gen processors without a firmware update. Verify server board compatibility before purchasing.

How many memory channels does this processor support, and what is the maximum memory configuration?

The 6240 supports six memory channels per socket, enabling up to 1TB of DDR4-2933 ECC memory per socket. Six-channel memory significantly increases memory bandwidth compared to quad-channel consumer platforms — critical for database, virtualization, and HPC workloads where memory bandwidth is the bottleneck.

What is the TDP, and what cooling solution does this processor require?

TDP is rated at 150W. This is a server/workstation processor requiring an active cooling solution rated for at least 150W — standard consumer CPU coolers are not compatible with the LGA3647 socket. Purpose-built server chassis cooling or 1U/2U server heatsinks are required.

How many PCIe 3.0 lanes does this processor provide, and what does that enable?

The 6240 provides 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes directly from the processor. This supports multiple high-bandwidth add-in cards simultaneously — such as dual x16 GPUs, NVMe storage controllers, and 100GbE NICs — without lane sharing that would throttle individual device bandwidth.

Can this processor run in a dual-socket configuration?

Yes. The Xeon Gold 6240 supports dual-socket configurations via three UPI (Ultra Path Interconnect) links, enabling cache-coherent memory access across both sockets for a combined 36 cores, 72 threads, and up to 2TB of RAM.