Intel Xeon E5-1620 socket: LGA 2011

What the Xeon E5-1620 is

Intel Xeon E5-1620 is a quad core Sandy Bridge-E server processor that Intel released in March 2012 for single socket workstations. It runs at 3.6 GHz base with turbo to 3.8 GHz, with 10 MB cache and Hyper-Threading for 8 threads. Power is rated at 130 W on a 32 nm process. The 1600 numbering marks single socket only operation with no QPI links, which separates it from dual capable E5-2600 parts.

No integrated graphics are present. Memory spans DDR3-800 to 1600 over four channels with ECC, and the chip provides 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes for workstation GPUs and storage controllers. Very high fixed clocks suit single threaded workstation tasks that never scale with cores.

Boards pair it with registered or unbuffered ECC DIMMs per manual and a workstation GPU. Four fast cores with quad channel memory cover CAD and creation work of the period. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the large LGA 2011 socket.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Xeon E5-1620 fits LGA 2011 in FCLGA2011 form. Single socket workstation boards with the C600 series controller carry it, and some X79 enthusiast boards accept E5-1600 parts since the codename matches the HEDT support map. The vendor list must show the exact E5-1620 string with Sandy Bridge-E microcode.

At 130 W workstation tower cooling with a large heatsink applies. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers the workstation split from dual socket servers.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR3 at 800, 1066, 1333 or 1600 MT/s, four channels, with ECC. Four populated channels feed four fast cores with high bandwidth. Workstation boards accept unbuffered ECC where the manual allows.

PCI Express is 40 lanes of PCIe 3.0 for workstation GPUs and fast storage. Without QPI, all lanes and memory hang off the single socket, which simplifies workstation layouts.

Cooling uses large workstation heatsinks for 130 W with tower airflow. The square ILM mount needs LGA 2011 compatible brackets.

Upgrade paths

Within LGA 2011 the Xeon E5-1620 can move to six core Sandy Bridge-E or Ivy Bridge-E parts on the same board, where the vendor list allows. Memory, storage and the workstation GPU carry over. A six core step is Intel Xeon E5-1650 on the same socket.

A platform move means a DDR4 workstation generation. Keep the node for single threaded workstation duty where fast Sandy cores still work.