Intel Xeon 638 socket: LGA 4710
The Intel Xeon 638 uses the LGA 4710 socket. It is a 16 core Granite Rapids server processor with a 3.2 GHz base frequency and boost to 4.8 GHz, plus DDR5 memory in 4 channels and 80 lanes of PCI Express 5.0.
- Socket
- LGA 4710
- Launched
- February 2026
- Cores and threads
- 16 and 32
- Base power
- 180 W
- Codename
- Granite Rapids
- Segment
- Server
- Family
- Intel Xeon
- Clocks
- 3.2 / 4.8 GHz
Intel Xeon 638 specifications
| Cores | 16 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 32 (with Hyper-Threading) |
| Clocks | 3.2 GHz base, up to 4.8 GHz boost (4.5 GHz all-core) |
| Cache | 72 MB |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 180 W |
| Maximum turbo power | 216 W |
| Manufacturing process | Intel 3 |
| Memory support | DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s, 4 channels, up to 2 TB |
| PCI Express | PCIe 5.0, up to 80 lanes |
| Integrated graphics | None |
| ECC memory | Yes |
| Package | FCLGA4710 with carrier E2B (77.5 mm x 56.5 mm) |
| Scalability | 1S (1 socket only) |
| Launch price | $989 (Intel RCP at launch) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Xeon 638 needs a motherboard with a LGA 4710 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the LGA 4710 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
LGA 4710 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 4,710 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | June 2024 |
| Memory | DDR5, 8 channels |
| Cooler mounting holes | Board specific (server heatsink) |
What the Xeon 638 is
The Xeon 638 is a 16 core server processor from the Xeon 6 family under the codename Granite Rapids. All 16 cores are Performance-cores, and with Hyper-Threading the part presents 32 threads to the operating system. The base frequency is 3.2 GHz with maximum turbo to 4.8 GHz through Turbo Boost Max 3.0, 4.6 GHz through Turbo Boost 2.0, and 4.5 GHz all-core turbo. The shared last level cache totals 72 MB. Intel positions the part as a mainstream single socket processor for virtualization hosts, databases, build servers, and edge systems that need strong per core speed rather than maximum core count.
Intel rates the processor base power at 180 W with maximum turbo power at 216 W. The part is built on Intel 3 and carries no integrated graphics, so display output or GPU compute needs a discrete card. Scalability is 1S, which means each system uses exactly one Xeon 638. ECC memory is supported, and the instruction set includes AVX-512 with two FMA units per core plus AMX for matrix math.
The processor launched in February 2026 at 989 dollars Intel recommended customer price. It sits above the 12 core Xeon 634 and Xeon 636 and below the 18 core Xeon 654, giving buyers a middle step in clocks and cache without moving to a higher power envelope. Boards and firmware for the launch came from server and workstation vendors on the W890 platform generation.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Xeon 638 fits the LGA 4710 socket, a land grid array with 4,710 contacts that also hosts Sierra Forest parts. The package is FCLGA4710 with carrier E2B. Intel lists the W890 chipset among compatible products, so single socket server and workstation boards built for that platform are the natural match. Compatibility still follows the board vendor CPU support list for each model, including the minimum BIOS revision that carries Granite Rapids microcode.
The socket file for this site carries no desktop chipset groups, so there is no retail chipset pick to copy. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works explains how socket fit differs from chipset and firmware support, and that distinction matters here because server boards qualify processors individually. Buyers should confirm the Xeon 638 on the vendor list with the planned BIOS revision before ordering memory or heatsinks.
Because the part is 1S only, dual socket boards are not an option. Heatsink choice follows the board vendor list for 180 W parts, with air and liquid options qualified per chassis and airflow direction. There is no boxed cooler. System integrators size cooling for the 216 W maximum turbo power so the processor can hold boost under sustained multi core load.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
The memory controller supports DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s in 4 channels with up to 2 TB per socket. ECC is supported, and RDIMM types fit the enterprise use case. Final speed follows DIMM population per channel, so two DIMMs per channel lowers the rate and vendors publish tested layouts for full capacity. Four channels give 204.8 GB/s of theoretical bandwidth at DDR5-6400, which suits virtualization and database work better than capacity heavy analytics that would favor an 8 channel part.
For I/O the chip provides PCI Express 5.0 with up to 80 lanes for network cards, NVMe storage, and accelerators. With no UPI links active, all inter socket and accelerator traffic on larger jobs stays inside the single socket or moves over PCIe and CXL 2.0. The platform also carries DMI 4.0 to the board controller for management and onboard devices.
Power and cooling center on 180 W base with 216 W maximum turbo, 101 degrees C maximum junction from the digital sensor, and 76 degrees C maximum case temperature. Firmware sets sustained and burst limits, and rack planners should budget power and airflow for continuous load at full turbo rather than base power alone. The 77.5 mm x 56.5 mm package uses the server carrier and retention mechanism of the board, not a desktop socket lever and clip.
Upgrade paths
Within LGA 4710 the direct path up is an 18 or 20 core Granite Rapids part such as the Xeon 654 or Xeon 656 on the same board where power and memory allow. That move doubles the memory channels from 4 to 8 and raises PCIe lanes from 80 to 128, so it helps workloads that press against bandwidth or I/O limits as well as thread count. The vendor list shows which higher parts the board and BIOS revision accept, and the heatsink may need to change for the higher envelope.
A larger change of platform means a new board and new memory population. The LGA 7529 platform serves the biggest Granite Rapids core counts with more memory channels, and reaching it requires different boards, heatsinks, and firmware rather than a drop in replacement. Buyers moving from a desktop socket should plan for server chassis, redundant power, and ECC RDIMM memory rather than desktop DIMMs.
For systems that stay at 16 cores, the Xeon 638 can remain in place while storage and network grow. Adding drives, network cards, or accelerators uses the 80 PCIe 5.0 lanes before a CPU change is needed. When thread count or memory bandwidth limits the workload, a same socket part with more cores and 8 channel memory is the next step.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Xeon 638 use?
The Intel Xeon 638 uses LGA 4710. It fits single socket server and workstation boards built for Granite Rapids parts. Always confirm the part on the board vendor CPU support list.
What memory does the Xeon 638 support?
DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s in 4 channels up to 2 TB with ECC. Final speed follows the DIMM type and population per channel, so check the vendor memory guide for the planned capacity.
How many PCIe lanes does the Xeon 638 provide?
Up to 80 lanes of PCI Express 5.0 for network, NVMe storage, and accelerators. The part has no active UPI links and runs in single socket systems only.
Can two Xeon 638 processors work together?
No. Scalability is 1S, so each system uses exactly one Xeon 638. Workloads that need more cores move to a higher core part on the same socket or to a larger platform.
Sources and verification
- Intel Xeon 638 Processor specifications (Intel ARK)
- Intel Xeon 638 Specs (TechPowerUp CPU Database)
- Intel Xeon 638 LGA 4710 server processor listing (Newegg)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .