Intel Xeon 6985P-C socket: LGA 7529

What the Xeon 6985P-C is

The Xeon 6985P-C is a 96-core and 192-thread server processor in the Granite Rapids-AP family for tailored cloud deployments. Ninety-six Redwood Cove Performance-cores with Hyper-Threading give 192 threads at 2.0 GHz base and up to 4.2 GHz boost. Cache is 480 MB of Smart Cache. Processor base power is 550 W, above standard AP SKUs for custom cooling envelopes.

The dash-C suffix marks a customer-specific bin with higher turbo than the 400 W 6952P at the same core count. Twelve-channel DDR5 or MRDIMM with ECC feeds 96 cores plus accelerators. Up to 96 Gen5 lanes per CPU with UPI links connect sockets, GPUs and NVMe in custom nodes.

Hyperscale nodes with custom power delivery fit here. Ninety-six cores at 4.2 GHz turbo cover bursty cloud mixes. Buyers who need standard warranty bins should take the 500 W Intel Xeon 6972P with 3.9 GHz turbo instead, since this C SKU depends on vendor-specific firmware and cooling.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 6985P-C fits LGA 7529 on custom Birch Stream boards with 550 W delivery. Standard AP BIOS branches may not list the C SKU, so the vendor firmware decides. The FCLGA7529 package uses the BR1A carrier.

Memory is DDR5-6400 or MRDIMM-8800 in 12 channels with ECC. Custom bins often pair with tuned MRDIMM speeds where validated. Population follows the vendor manual for the custom node.

Custom shoppers compare C bins against standard AP on turbo and power. The 6985P-C leads standard 96-core parts on turbo for 50 W more power. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide explains why custom bins stay vendor-locked.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR5 or MRDIMM in 12 channels with ECC is the custom standard. Datasets plus VMs should be sized with the vendor. Matched sets are preferred.

PCIe gives 96 Gen5 lanes per CPU plus UPI for custom accelerators and storage. Fixed custom splits require vendor documentation.

Cooling is custom server 550 W with liquid. No retail cooler applies to tray server supply.

Upgrade paths

LGA moves for C bins stay within the same vendor custom line. Standard AP parts may not accept the custom firmware. Memory and NVMe follow the custom manual.

A working 6985P-C serves tailored clouds for its deployment life. Standard clouds should use regular AP SKUs.