Intel Xeon Gold 6242R Server Processor – 20 Cores, 40 Threads, 3.1 GHz Base / 4.1 GHz Turbo, LGA3647

The Intel Xeon Gold 6242R is a 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processor built on Cascade Lake (14nm), with 20 cores, 40 threads, a 3.1 GHz base clock and up to 4.1 GHz turbo. It uses the LGA3647 (Socket P) socket, supports DDR4-2933 ECC memory (6 channels) and is designed for servers, virtualization hosts and data center workloads.

Why Server Workloads Outgrow Desktop-Class Processors – Intel Xeon Gold 6242R

Desktop processors are built for one user and bursty workloads. Servers run many services at once, around the clock, and need memory capacity, error correction and I/O bandwidth that consumer chips do not provide. Pushing a desktop platform into that role usually ends in memory limits, missing ECC support or a shortage of PCIe lanes.

The Xeon Gold 6242R is a 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processor designed for that environment. With 20 cores and 40 threads, 35.75MB of cache and 6 channels of DDR4-2933 ECC memory, it can host virtual machines, containers, databases and application servers on a single socket, and it supports dual-socket configurations.

Its 205W TDP and server-grade feature set make it a practical choice for building, upgrading or expanding LGA3647 servers from vendors such as Dell, HPE, Lenovo and Supermicro, as long as the system board and cooling are rated for it.

20 Cores and 6-Channel Memory for Server Consolidation

Higher core counts and wide memory bandwidth let you consolidate several older servers onto one host. Each of the 20 cores runs two threads, and the 35.75MB shared cache keeps hot data close to the cores for databases, hypervisors and analytics.

Intel DL Boost, AVX-512 and Hardware Security Mitigations

Intel DL Boost (VNNI) speeds up AI inference, AVX-512 accelerates vector workloads, and Cascade Lake adds in-silicon mitigations for Spectre and Meltdown variants.

Setup Instructions

How to Install the Intel Xeon Gold 6242R

1. Confirm your system board uses the LGA3647 (Socket P) socket with the Intel C620 series chipset, and update the BIOS to a version that lists the Xeon Gold 6242R as supported. Multi-socket systems need matching processors in every socket.
2. Clip the Xeon Gold 6242R into the carrier frame, attach the carrier to the heatsink, then lower the assembly onto the socket using the alignment pins. Tighten the heatsink screws in the order printed on the heatsink.
3. Use a heatsink rated for 205W and confirm the server’s fan configuration supports this TDP. Server heatsinks usually come with thermal paste pre-applied; replace it if the heatsink is being reused.
4. Install ECC memory following the board’s channel population guide, power on, confirm the processor and memory are detected in the BIOS or BMC, then install your operating system or hypervisor.