Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H socket: LGA 4189
The Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H uses the LGA 4189 socket. It is a 190 W 8-core Cooper Lake-SP server processor with very high clocks for 8-socket systems.
- Socket
- LGA 4189
- Launched
- September 2020
- Cores and threads
- 8 and 16
- Base power
- 190 W
- Codename
- Cooper Lake-SP
- Segment
- Server
- Family
- Intel Xeon Platinum
- Clocks
- 3.9 / 4.4 GHz
Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H specifications
| Cores | 8 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 16 |
| Core architecture | Skylake-SP (Cooper Lake-SP) |
| Clocks | 3.9 GHz base, up to 4.4 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 35.75 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 190 W |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4 up to 2933 MT/s ECC, 6 channels, up to 1.12 TB per socket |
| PCI Express | 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes per socket |
| Interconnect | 6× UPI at 10.4 GT/s |
| ECC memory | Yes |
| Package | FCLGA4189, 77.5 × 56.5 mm |
| Sockets supported | Up to 8 sockets |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H needs a motherboard with a LGA 4189 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the LGA 4189 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
LGA 4189 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 4,189 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 77.5 × 56.5 mm |
| Introduced | April 2020 |
| Memory | DDR4 with ECC, up to 8 channels on Ice Lake-SP and 6 channels on Cooper Lake-SP |
| Cooler mounting holes | Board specific (server heatsink) |
What the Xeon Platinum 8356H is
The Xeon Platinum 8356H is an 8-core server processor that Intel released in September 2020 with the Cooper Lake-SP range for 8-socket systems. Its Skylake-SP cores run 3.9 GHz base to 4.4 GHz turbo with Hyper-Threading for 16 threads. Cache is 35.75 MB of Intel Smart Cache with 1 MB of L2 per core.
The chip trades core count for the highest clocks in its Platinum H group with an unusually large cache per core. Licensed databases that charge per core gain speed without adding sockets. The 14 nm process carries bfloat16 instructions for inference work through Deep Learning Boost.
There is no integrated graphics on this model, so setup relies on board BMC graphics. ECC memory support guards data across long uptime. The socket package is FCLGA4189 at 77.5 × 56.5 mm.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 8356H fits the LGA 4189 socket on Cedar Island boards for Cooper Lake. Whitley boards for Ice Lake-SP share the socket name but do not accept this chip, so the board generation must match the processor generation. The server vendor CPU support list names the exact boards for H suffix parts.
Eight-socket operation is possible with Xeon Platinum H parts, though this clock-focused model usually serves fewer sockets at speed. A buyer paying per-core licensing should weigh 8 fast cores against 28 slower ones at similar system cost.
Check memory population rules for the target board when ordering. Twelve DIMMs per socket is the platform shape, and all sockets should match in capacity and speed.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
The memory controller supports DDR4 up to 2933 MT/s in 6 channels, up to 1.12 TB per socket, with ECC support. Licensed nodes use RDIMM pairs across all channels for bandwidth with integrity. Optane persistent memory is a board option on qualifying platforms.
The CPU supplies 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes per socket for network cards and NVMe storage. Multi-socket boards split lanes across slots and onboard controllers, so the board specifications state which slots reach full speed. Six UPI links at 10.4 GT/s carry socket to socket traffic.
At 190 W, vendor-qualified performance air heatsinks with strong directed chassis airflow are needed. Mounting is board specific with no retail pattern, and the CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide explains why server sockets list no desktop bracket.
Upgrade paths
Against the Intel Xeon Platinum 8380H, the 8356H trades cores for clocks with more cache per core. The 28-core part suits dense guests, while this 8-core part suits licensed databases that charge per core. Both share Cedar Island boards and 8-socket scaling.
Moving to LGA 4677 needs new boards and DDR5 memory for Sapphire Rapids generations. The 8356H fits a fast licensed cluster, a latency sensitive database, or an inference tier with bfloat16 work.
For used buyers, the clock-focused Platinum H part makes sense when per-core speed beats thread count. When density matters most, the 28-core H parts give far more threads on the same platform.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H use?
It uses LGA 4189 on Cedar Island boards for Cooper Lake. Whitley Ice Lake boards share the socket name but do not accept it.
How many cores does the Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H have?
8 cores with 16 threads, 3.9 GHz base and up to 4.4 GHz turbo, with 35.75 MB of Intel Smart Cache.
What memory does the Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H support?
DDR4 up to 2933 MT/s with ECC in 6 channels, up to 1.12 TB per socket.
What graphics does the Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H include?
None on the chip. Setup relies on board BMC graphics.
What is the TDP of the Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H?
190 W. Performance air heatsinks with strong directed chassis airflow are needed.
Sources and verification
- Cooper Lake (Wikipedia, Xeon Platinum H list, 8S, DDR4, bfloat16)
- Intel Xeon Platinum 8356H Processor (Intel ARK)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .