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The Intel Xeon Gold 6248 was a capable 20-core server CPU when ServeTheHome reviewed it in February 2020: its relatively high clocks helped it compete with faster-tier Xeons and, in selected tests, AMD EPYC processors with more cores. That review is useful historical evidence, not a current buying verdict. In 2026, the 6248 is discontinued, its listed servicing-update period has ended, and it makes the most sense as an inexpensive upgrade to a compatible LGA3647 server—not as the default choice for a new build.
Xeon Gold 6248 at a glance
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Architecture and family | Cascade Lake-SP, 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable |
| Launch | Q2 2019 |
| Cores / threads | 20 / 40 |
| Base / maximum turbo frequency | 2.50 GHz / up to 3.90 GHz |
| Cache | 27.5 MB |
| Processor TDP | 150 W |
| Socket | FCLGA3647 |
| Memory | Six-channel DDR4-2933; Intel lists up to 1 TB, subject to platform and configuration |
| Expansion | Up to 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes |
| Socket scalability | Intel lists up to four-socket (4S) support; the server must support that topology |
| Notable features | AVX-512, Intel DL Boost, and support for compatible Optane DC persistent memory platforms |
| Current status | Discontinued; Intel lists June 30, 2025 as the end-of-servicing-updates date |
These specifications come from Intel’s product specification. The 3.90 GHz figure is a maximum turbo frequency, not a promise of sustained all-core operation. Actual frequency depends on workload, active cores, temperature, power limits, firmware, and system design. Likewise, the 150 W TDP is a processor thermal-design rating, not a measurement of an entire server’s wall power.
Six-channel memory support can provide substantial bandwidth when channels are populated correctly. Installing only a few DIMMs may leave memory channels unused; supported speed and capacity also depend on DIMM type, ranks, population, BIOS, and the server vendor’s validation. The same platform-specific caution applies to the listed 1 TB memory limit, 4S operation, and Optane support.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat ServeTheHome tested
ServeTheHome published its review on February 22, 2020, using one Xeon Gold 6248 in an HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10. The system had 192 GB of ECC registered memory in six 32 GB DDR4-2933 DIMMs, an Intel DC S3700 400 GB SSD, a dual-port 40GbE Mellanox ConnectX-3 HPE FlexLOM adapter, and HPE’s high-performance heatsink and fan configuration. The review focused on single-socket results to keep comparisons with its broader single-, dual-, and quad-socket test pool more consistent. See the original review and test notes.
#1 Best Overall
- Upc: 735858410533
- Weight: 0.400 lbs
Its published Linux-oriented suite included c-ray 8K, 7-Zip compression, NAMD, Sysbench CPU, OpenSSL signing and verification, UnixBench Dhrystone and Whetstone, GROMACS with AVX2 and AVX-512 where available, and chess. The review used legacy Linux-Bench scripts alongside Linux-Bench2 and said the displayed results represented only part of a larger internal test set.
These are ServeTheHome’s measurements from its test configuration, not results independently reproduced on current hardware. BIOS power policy, microcode and security mitigations, cooling, memory population, operating system, benchmark version, NUMA topology, and AVX-512 use can all change results. A single-socket benchmark should not be treated as a direct prediction for a dual-socket installation.
What the benchmark results mean
The clearest overall finding was that the Gold 6248 was a strong performer among the first- and second-generation Xeon Scalable processors in the review set. Its relatively high frequency helped it hold its own against some CPUs with more cores and put it near or above the Platinum 8260 in selected workloads. That does not make it universally faster than a Platinum part: the ordering varied by test.
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ServeTheHome reported especially strong results in Sysbench CPU and several Intel-versus-Intel comparisons. In its multithreaded Sysbench CPU result, the 6248 pulled ahead of AMD’s 24-core EPYC 7402P. That is a workload-specific outcome from the review’s setup, not evidence that a 20-core 6248 generally beats a 24-core EPYC. Clock speed, software behavior, core count, cache, and platform all affect the result.
This profile can suit applications with moderate parallelism or work that benefits from strong per-core performance. It is less compelling when a job scales efficiently across many cores or is constrained by memory and I/O rather than CPU frequency.
Compression, cryptography, and older synthetic tests
7-Zip compression and OpenSSL sign-and-verify results offer useful examples of how one CPU can rank differently across algorithms and implementations. They are not stand-ins for every compression, encryption, virtualization, or database workload. UnixBench’s Dhrystone and Whetstone results are likewise historical context; they should not be used alone to select a server in 2026.
Scientific and vector workloads
AVX-512 can materially benefit software compiled and tuned to use it. ServeTheHome tested NAMD and GROMACS, including AVX2 and AVX-512 paths where available. But support for AVX-512 does not automatically make a processor faster in every scientific job. Vector execution can raise power demand and affect frequency, and the review noted that GROMACS behavior could be constrained by power or TDP limits. For a production HPC decision, benchmark the actual application, build, input size, and system configuration.
Rendering and cache-sensitive work
The c-ray 8K result showed a different side of the comparison: AMD’s cache and core architecture could be advantageous, and the 6248 was closer to AMD’s lower-core-count parts in that test than its stronger Sysbench result might suggest. Chess adds another workload-specific data point, not a general performance verdict. Together, these tests show why a benchmark win should be mapped to the task it represents rather than generalized to “server performance.”
How it compares with nearby CPUs
Xeon Gold 6148 and Platinum 8260/8268
The Gold 6248 sits in the same broad generation as the Gold 6148 and was a higher-clocked option. ServeTheHome found the frequency uplift useful, though the difference should not be confused with a generational leap. Against the Platinum 8260 and 8268, the 6248 could approach or exceed them in selected tests; it was not faster across the board. If evaluating a used system, compare the actual CPU configuration, memory, server capabilities, and total price rather than relying on the Gold or Platinum name alone.
Xeon Gold 6248R: more performance, but check the server
The Gold 6248R is not simply another name for the 6248. It has 24 cores and 48 threads, a 3.0 GHz base frequency, up to 4.0 GHz turbo, 35.75 MB cache, and a 205 W TDP. ServeTheHome characterized it as a substantial upgrade over the original 6248 and cited a historical list price of $2,700, below the original 6248’s launch-era pricing. Those are historical comparisons, not current market prices.
Rank #3
- Part Number Identification: CD8069504194501 for easy reference and compatibility verification
- CPU Series Specification: 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processor from the Gold 6000 series
- Processor Frequency: 3.10GHz base clock speed with 18 cores for high-performance computing tasks
- Package Type: OEM tray processor without retail packaging
- Cooling Device Notice: Processor only, cooling device not included and must be purchased separately
The 6248R’s extra performance comes with important platform trade-offs: the 205 W rating exceeds what some servers support, and the part is limited to two-socket operation rather than four-socket use. ServeTheHome selected a platform designed for 205 W processors and cautioned that not all Xeon Scalable systems can handle them. Check the exact server’s CPU support list, BIOS, cooling, and power-delivery limits before considering a swap; do not assume it is a drop-in upgrade. Read ServeTheHome’s 6248R review for its discussion of that part.
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How it compares with AMD EPYC 7002
The contemporary AMD alternatives included the EPYC 7402, 7402P, and 7502. ServeTheHome’s broad conclusion was that the Gold 6248 was strong within Intel’s lineup, but AMD’s EPYC 7002 family often delivered more cores, more cache, more PCIe connectivity, greater memory capacity, and better price/performance. EPYC Rome also brought PCIe Gen4, while the 6248 platform is limited to PCIe 3.0 and 48 lanes.
Intel’s counterarguments were real but workload- and platform-dependent: higher clocks, AVX-512, DL Boost, Optane persistent memory support, and up-to-four-socket scalability can matter. So can the practical value of retaining a compatible enterprise server and its management, firmware, and support environment. Optane is only an advantage if the particular platform supports compatible modules and the workload benefits from them.
The comparison is not just CPU versus CPU. EPYC can change the number of available I/O lanes, PCIe generation, memory bandwidth and capacity, and the economics of a single-socket server. The right choice depends on total platform capability and cost. Historical EPYC prices from the original review should not be read as current used-market pricing. For the Intel-versus-AMD context, see ServeTheHome’s conclusion and comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Gold 6248 worth using in 2026?
As an upgrade to a server you already own, possibly. If a compatible LGA3647 system needs more CPU capacity, a tested, low-cost 6248 may be a practical way to extend its useful life. It is most attractive when the workload benefits from its frequency, AVX-512, Intel-specific software, or an existing platform feature that would be costly to replace. Confirm the server vendor supports the exact CPU and that its cooling and power configuration are appropriate.
As the foundation for a new server, usually not. The processor is discontinued, its listed end-of-servicing-updates date was June 30, 2025, and its platform lacks the PCIe 4.0-or-newer capabilities of later systems. A newer processor with fewer cores may outperform it or use power more efficiently. If you need long-term vendor support, current I/O, high memory bandwidth, or strong performance per dollar, compare newer complete platforms instead of focusing on the 6248’s 20-core count.
For a used complete server or homelab, judge the whole package. A tested server with the right heatsink, memory, firmware, power supplies, and return policy can be more attractive than a bare CPU. Include chassis, motherboard, DIMMs, storage and network adapters, cooling, power draw, noise, support, and replacement parts in the calculation. The old Intel recommended customer price of $3,616–$3,622 is historical list pricing, not a sensible guide to a 2026 used purchase; Intel marks the part discontinued on its ordering page.
Because Intel lists the part as discontinued, buyers should assess maintenance for the whole system: CPU microcode, BIOS and management-controller firmware, operating system or hypervisor, and vendor support. The end date for Intel servicing updates does not by itself establish whether a particular server or software stack is secure or supported.
Compatibility checklist before buying
- Verify the exact server model and CPU support list. LGA3647 is necessary but not sufficient; board generation, BIOS version, socket rules, and vendor validation matter.
- Check the cooling and power envelope. Ensure the correct heatsink and fan kit are present. For a 6248R, verify explicit 205 W support rather than assuming the 6248’s compatibility carries over.
- Plan memory by channel. Use supported ECC RDIMMs and follow the server’s slot-population rules. Six DIMMs can populate six channels in a single-socket system, but supported configurations vary.
- Confirm the intended topology. Intel’s 4S capability does not mean every server can run four sockets; dual- and multi-socket systems also have different NUMA behavior from the single-socket STH results.
- Validate workload requirements. Check whether applications use AVX-512, whether their performance is power-sensitive, and whether Intel DL Boost or Optane support is actually relevant.
- Buy a verifiable part or system. Check seller return terms, warranty, tested status, and authenticity; do not assume a bare processor listing includes suitable cooling or firmware support.
Intel’s ordering page identifies the tray ordering code as CD8069504194301 and the boxed code as BX806956248. Those identifiers can help verify a listing, but they do not replace checking the server’s compatibility documentation.
Bottom line
ServeTheHome’s review showed the Xeon Gold 6248 at its best: a high-frequency 20-core Cascade Lake CPU that competed strongly within Intel’s 2019-era lineup and won some individual workload comparisons. It also showed the limits of treating one benchmark as a universal verdict. In 2026, the 6248 is best regarded as a conditional used-server upgrade. Buy it only when the compatible platform is already available or unusually affordable, the workload suits its strengths, and the total system economics beat a newer alternative.
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