Intel Xeon Platinum 9242 socket: BGA 5903
The Intel Xeon Platinum 9242 uses the BGA 5903 package on large compute boards. The 48 core soldered chip cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 5903
- Launched
- April 2019
- Cores and threads
- 48 and 96
- Base power
- 350 W
- Codename
- Cascade Lake-AP
- Segment
- Server
- Family
- Intel Xeon Platinum
- Clocks
- 2.3 / 3.8 GHz
Intel Xeon Platinum 9242 specifications
| Cores | 48 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 96 |
| Core architecture | Cascade Lake-AP cores on 14 nm |
| Clocks | 2.3 GHz base, up to 3.8 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 |
| Cache | 71.5 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 350 W |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4-2933 ECC, twelve channels |
| PCI Express | PCIe 3.0 from the processors |
| Integrated graphics | None |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| ECC memory | Supported with RDIMMs |
| Package | FC-BGA5903 (soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Xeon Platinum 9242 needs a motherboard with a BGA 5903 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 5903 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 5903 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 5,903 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | April 2019 |
| Memory | DDR4-2933 ECC, twelve channels |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Xeon Platinum 9242 is
The Xeon Platinum 9242 scales dual die construction to 48 cores with Hyper-Threading. It launched in the second quarter of 2019 with a 2.3 GHz base and up to 3.8 GHz boost at 350 W. Intel targets dense virtualization and HPC where thread count drives throughput.
Seventy one point five megabytes of cache feed 96 threads with shared working sets. The 350 W envelope needs strong node cooling, but rewards parallel codes with high core density per rack unit. Boost still lifts serial phases.
No integrated graphics is present. The process is 14 nm. Twelve channel DDR4 ECC supplies bandwidth for large memories. Management controllers provide display output for setup.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 9242 solders to BGA 5903 permanently. Vendors design 350 W boards with robust power and liquid capable heatsinks. There is no socketed migration to other packages.
DDR4-2933 ECC in twelve channels supports large virtual machine hosts. Population follows vendor guidance for capacity and speed. The How to find your CPU socket type guide helps confirm FC-BGA5903 in node documents.
LGA 3647 single die nodes cannot take this dual die BGA. Board and cooling differ completely. Service is by node exchange.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR4-2933 ECC RDIMMs in twelve channels deliver high bandwidth for dense hosts. Plan DIMM counts in multiples of twelve for balance. Large capacities suit in memory analytics.
PCIe 3.0 from the processors links NVMe and fabric. Node wiring prioritizes accelerators or network per workload. Check vendor topologies for exact lane use.
Cooling for 350 W demands data center airflow or liquid. Even pressure and vendor torque sequences matter. No retail heatsink covers this class.
Upgrade paths
Soldered design prevents CPU swaps. Memory expansion where slots free and network upgrades extend node life. Cluster growth comes from more nodes.
Within BGA 5903, the Intel Xeon Platinum 9221 offers 32 cores at 250 W for lower power racks. The Intel Xeon Platinum 9282 pushes to 56 cores at 400 W for maximum density. All share package expertise.
Past BGA 5903 newer Xeon families use other sockets. The 9242 covers mid density where 48 cores balance power and throughput.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Xeon Platinum 9242 use?
It uses BGA 5903 soldered to large compute boards.
How many cores does the 9242 have?
Forty eight cores with Hyper-Threading give 96 threads. Base is 2.3 GHz with boost to 3.8 GHz.
Does the 9242 include integrated graphics?
No. Nodes run headless.
What memory does the 9242 support?
DDR4-2933 ECC in twelve channels.
When did the 9242 launch?
April 2019 in the second quarter of 2019.
Sources and verification
- Intel Xeon Platinum 9242 Processor specifications (Intel)
- Intel 2nd Gen Xeon Scalable Processors (Intel)
- Intel Xeon Platinum Cascade Lake-AP Processors List (SysRqmts)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .