Server Processors - Intel Xeon & AMD EPYC

Intel Xeon Scalable Processors

Intel Xeon Scalable processors power Dell PowerEdge 14th, 15th, and 16th Generation servers as well as HPE ProLiant Gen10 and Gen10 Plus systems. They are organized into four performance tiers:

• Platinum — Highest core counts and frequencies for mission-critical and HPC workloads
• Gold — Balanced performance for virtualization, database, and general enterprise
• Silver — Cost-effective for moderate workloads, web hosting, and ROBO
• Bronze — Entry-level for light workloads and file/print servers

Xeon Scalable uses LGA 3647 (Gen 1/2), LGA 4189 (Gen 3), or LGA 4677 (Gen 4) sockets. Check your server's generation before ordering — processors are not cross-compatible between socket types.

Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 Processors

Xeon E5-2600 v3 and v4 processors power Dell PowerEdge 13th Generation servers (R630, R730, R730xd) and HPE ProLiant Gen9 systems. They use the LGA 2011-3 socket with up to 22 cores per processor. These remain widely available in the refurbished market and provide a cost-effective DDR4 compute platform.

AMD EPYC Processors

AMD EPYC processors power Dell PowerEdge R6515, R6525, R7515, R7525 (15G) and R6615, R6625, R7615, R7625 (16G) servers. Key advantages include higher core counts per socket (up to 128 cores on EPYC 9004) and more PCIe lanes per socket (128 Gen 4 or Gen 5), which can reduce per-socket software licensing costs compared to dual Intel configurations.

• EPYC 7002 (Rome) — 2nd Gen, up to 64 cores, PCIe Gen 4, SP3 socket
• EPYC 7003 (Milan) — 3rd Gen, up to 64 cores, PCIe Gen 4, SP3 socket
• EPYC 9004 (Genoa) — 4th Gen, up to 128 cores, PCIe Gen 5, SP5 socket

How to Identify Compatible Processors

1. Check your server model — each Dell PowerEdge and HPE ProLiant model supports a specific processor family
2. Match the socket type — LGA 3647, LGA 4189, LGA 4677 (Intel) or SP3, SP5 (AMD) are not interchangeable
3. Verify TDP limits — some chassis configurations limit processor TDP (especially 1U servers with GPU or NVMe configs)
4. Contact Enterasource if unsure — our team verifies compatibility before shipping

Frequently Asked Questions

What server processors are compatible with my Dell PowerEdge?

Compatibility depends on your server generation and socket type. 13th Gen servers (R630, R730) use Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 (LGA 2011-3). 14th Gen (R640, R740) use Xeon Scalable Gen 1/2 (LGA 3647). 15th Gen (R650, R750) use Xeon Scalable Gen 3 (LGA 4189). 16th Gen (R660, R760) use Xeon Scalable Gen 4/5 (LGA 4677). AMD EPYC models use SP3 (15G) or SP5 (16G). Processors cannot be swapped between socket types. Contact Enterasource and we will verify compatibility before shipping.

What is the difference between Intel Xeon Scalable tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze)?

Intel Xeon Scalable processors are divided into four tiers based on core count, clock speed, and feature set. Platinum offers the highest core counts (up to 60 cores) and advanced features like Intel UPI links for 4- and 8-socket configs. Gold provides strong multi-threaded performance for virtualization and databases. Silver is a cost-effective option for moderate workloads with fewer cores and lower TDP. Bronze is entry-level with the lowest core counts and clock speeds, suited for file servers and light-duty applications.

Can I mix different processor models in a dual-socket server?

No. Dual-socket servers require matched processors — same model, stepping, and TDP. Mixing different processor models will prevent the server from booting. If you are upgrading from a single-socket to dual-socket configuration, order two identical CPUs. Enterasource sells matched processor pairs for this reason.

Need help selecting the right processor? Browse compatible memory modules or server configurations to build a complete system.