Intel’s 5th-Gen Xeon Scalable processors, built on the Emerald Rapids architecture, are making waves in the server-oriented processing arena. The spotlight is on the raw performance boost these processors experience when tasked with AVX-512 workloads.
AVX-512: Doubling performance without compromising efficiency
Benchmarking site Phoronix reports that an Intel Xeon Platinum 8592+ CPU, a flagship model in the 5th-Gen lineup, exhibits an almost doubling of average performance and improved power efficiency when running AVX-512 instructions in specific workloads. AVX-512, a SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) instruction set, aims to enhance CPU performance by executing the same instructions across different data points. Initially criticized for poor power efficiency and excessive heat generation, recent Intel Xeon CPUs seem to have overcome these issues, making AVX-512 a valuable tool for unleashing the full potential of server-oriented processors.
Benchmarking results: AVX-512 unleashes impressive gains
Phoronix conducted benchmark tests using two 64-core Intel Xeon Platinum 8592+ CPUs on Ubuntu 23.10 with the Linux 6.5 kernel, housed in the Intel Eagle Stream reference server. This powerhouse was equipped with 1TB DDR5 RAM and a 3TB SSD. In various benchmarks, including Embree, OpenVKL, and Y-Cruncher, enabling AVX-512 resulted in a remarkable doubling of CPU performance. Particularly noteworthy was the OpenVINO benchmark, where performance soared by more than three times with AVX-512 activated.
OpenVINO, Intel’s toolkit designed for neural networks, allows developers to create applications for AI-centric tasks such as vision emulation, speech recognition, and natural language processing. Despite the historical concerns surrounding AVX-512, Phoronix noted no major power usage or heat generation issues during these tests, emphasizing the tangible benefits of AVX-512 in contemporary computing environments.
Intel’s 5th-Gen Xeon vs. AMD’s Ryzen threadripper Pro 7995WX
While Intel’s 5th-Gen Xeon CPUs showcase impressive performance gains with AVX-512, it’s crucial to acknowledge the competition. AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7995WX, boasting a formidable 96 cores, holds the world record in several categories, surpassing Intel’s offerings in raw performance. As of the latest assessments, Intel’s 5th-Gen Xeon CPUs are formidable but have yet to reach the peaks set by AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7995WX.
Intel’s 5th-Gen Xeon Scalable processors, with the backing of the Emerald Rapids architecture, prove their mettle with a substantial performance boost when executing AVX-512 workloads. The benchmarks conducted by Phoronix showcase a noteworthy doubling and tripling of CPU performance in various tasks. While concerns surrounding AVX-512’s power efficiency and heat generation persist from its early days, recent iterations of Intel Xeon CPUs seem to have effectively addressed these issues. Despite the commendable performance gains, it’s essential to acknowledge the competition, particularly AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7995WX, which currently holds the crown in certain performance categories.
As the technological landscape continues to evolve, the battle between Intel and AMD for processor supremacy remains fierce, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what server-oriented processors can achieve.
