Intel Xeon Processors are the most powerful Processors from Intel which are not available to personal consumers. Instead, they are used by big companies and workstations with huge servers that require a lot of processing power to run their Servers.
Not every computer in the world is targeted for gamers, are they? Companies manufacture computers for different types of customers. Just like that, Intel also develops Processors for different kinds of users.
But what are these Xeon Processors used for? I did extensive research and found the answer for you.
What Are Intel Xeon Processors and What is Their Use?
The Xeon Processors from Intel are designed specifically for big companies with huge servers that handle a gigantic amount of data every single day. They are also used for Mobile Workstations, Non-Mobile Workstations, SAAS companies, and Cloud Computing Servers.
The Xeon Processors are used in big Servers because they provide Error Correcting Code(ECC) support which protects the Server from any kind of Crash during intense load.
The Error Correcting Code(ECC) Memory is a form of computer memory or storage that is used to detect and correct any form of internal data corruption
This ECC support from Xeon Processors helps these Servers to run 24/7 with maximum Uptime. That is why they are ideal for big companies who cannot afford to have a server crash or suffer from frequent Server Downtimes.
The Xeon Processors contain a large number of Cores but these Cores generally have slower clock speeds than what you find in gaming Laptops. Gaming Computers use fewer cores with faster clock speeds.
The number of Cores in these processors can go up to a whopping 56. The clock speeds range from 2.1 GHz to 4.6 GHz.
Intel Xeon Processors also have a larger Cache Memory which results in faster data transfer to and from the Servers. Cache memory can go up to 77 MB and the cache memory used is Intel Smart Cache.
Not only that, but the Xeon Processors are also designed to handle a large amount of RAM and large bandwidths.
The huge processing power of Xeon Processors makes it an ideal candidate for running programs and performing tasks that require an insane amount of processing power.
These processors also consume less power and you won’t get any kind of CPU Throttling or Thermal Throttling unlike the normal Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors which causes Throttling in some computers with poor GPU.
The big Cloud Computing platforms like Amazon Web Services(AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Oracle cloud, etc use Intel Xeon processors for running their Servers.
Intel Xeon Processors are mainly used for Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence(AI), 3D Modelling and Rendering, VFX Design, Storage Servers, Media Transcode, and Edge Computing.
Some Intel Xeon Processors are also used in Gaming Devices and surprisingly they performed really well than other Intel Processors even with the slower clock speeds.
Examples of Intel Xeon Processors – Intel Xeon D-1602 Processor, Intel Xeon D-2143IT Processor.
Difference Between Intel Xeon Processor and Other Intel Processors
The major differences between Intel Xeon Processors and Other Intel Processors are as follows:
(A) Normal Intel Processors like Intel Core i5 and Core i7 have low Cache memory in the range of 6 MB to 8MB. Whereas, Intel Xeon Processors have very high Cache memory with some processors having up to 77 MB.
(B) Intel Xeon Processors have a higher number of Cores than other Intel Processors. Normal Core i5 and i7 processors have a maximum of 8 cores but the Xeon Processors have a maximum of 56 Cores.
(C) The Xeon Processors provide Error Correcting Code(ECC) support. The ECC helps to detect and correct single-bit memory errors in real-time without any delays. Normal Intel processors don’t provide ECC support.
ECC memory support provides Server Stability and prevents Server Crashes as well as minimizes Server Downtime. The Higher End Intel Xeon Processors are responsible for 24/7 Uptime of Servers that get a lot of server requests daily.
(D) Intel Xeon Processors have more threads and the amount of Hyperthreading is also more. The normal Intel processors have fewer threads and have less Hyperthreading.
Hyperthreading is the process in which normal CPU cores are converted into Virtual Cores. The cores are doubled. For example – Single Core CPU threads into Two Cores, Dual Core CPU threads into Four Cores.
(E) Normal Intel Processors have lower CPU Processing and Computing Power than Intel Xeon Processors. The Xeon can process memory-intensive tasks more easily and much faster than normal processors.
(F) The lower-end Intel Xeon Processors have slower Clock speeds than normal Intel Processors. The higher-end Xeon Processors have higher Clock Speeds which can go up to 4.6 GHz.
(G) The normal consumer-focused Intel Processors support less amount of RAM than Intel Xeon Processors. Xeon Processor supports up to 512 GB of DDR4 RAM while normal Intel processors support up to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM.
More RAM means you can run a lot of tasks simultaneously without having to worry about lags or crashes. This provides better Server Uptime and prevents Server crashes.
(I) The Xeon Processors are an excellent choice for very demanding tasks like 3D Modelling and Rendering, VFX Design, Artificial Intelligence, 4K Quality Video Editing and storage in Data Centers. Normal Intel processors are a better choice for everyday tasks like Web Browsing, Watching movies, photo editing, Gaming, etc.
Gaming Companies that develop AAA games use 3D engines powered by Intel Xeon Processors. Programs such as Unity 3D, Unreal Engine require a lot of processing power which is provided by Intel Xeon Processors along with high power GPUs.
(J) Xeon Processors provide better Network Security and Uptimes for Cloud Services. Therefore they are more Reliable than the normal Intel processors.
(K) Intel Xeon Processors have a Special feature called System on a Chip which can be used in environments that allow less space and power. Normal Intel processors don’t have this feature.
Should You Buy a Computer with a Xeon Processor?
You should buy a laptop with Intel Xeon Processor if:
(a) You are VFX Artist who works with 3D Designing, Modeling and Rendering software like Autodesk Maya, Auto 3DS Max, Cinema 4D, Nuke, Blackmagic Fusion, V-Ray, etc.
(b) You are a part of a game development company that develops Console Level AAA Title Games. You will be using software like Unity 3D and Unreal Engine.
(c) You want to develop Artificial Intelligence(AI) software with programs like Azure Machine Learning Studio, H2O AI, Google Cloud Machine Learning Engine, etc.
(d) You are an Internet-based company like a SAAS company that requires fast server speeds with high security that runs 24/7 with minimum downtime.
(e) You want to develop your own Cloud Computing Platform like Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, etc.
If you want to use your laptop for normal everyday tasks like Browsing, Editing, Watching movies, Gaming, etc. then you don’t need to invest in Intel Xeon Processors. The normal Intel Core i5, i7, i9 processors are good enough for that.
This is so informative and Thanks for Sharing.