Intel Xeon W-1290P socket: LGA 1200
The Intel Xeon W-1290P uses the LGA 1200 socket. It is the 125 W ten core workstation flagship with P630 graphics and ECC support.
- Socket
- LGA 1200
- Launched
- May 2020
- Cores and threads
- 10 and 20
- Base power
- 125 W
- Codename
- Comet Lake
- Segment
- Workstation
- Family
- Intel Xeon W
- Clocks
- 3.7 / 5.3 GHz
Intel Xeon W-1290P specifications
| Cores | 10 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 20 |
| Core architecture | Skylake based cores on 14 nm |
| Clocks | 3.7 GHz base, up to 5.3 GHz with Thermal Velocity Boost |
| Cache | 20 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 125 W (95 W cTDP down) |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4-2933 ECC UDIMM, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| PCI Express | 16 lanes from the CPU, PCIe 3.0 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics P630 (350 MHz base, up to 1.20 GHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| ECC memory | Supported, DDR4 ECC UDIMM |
| Package | FCLGA1200 |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Xeon W-1290P needs a motherboard with a LGA 1200 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 500 series | Z590, H570, B560, H510, Q570, W580 | Works out of the box |
| 400 series: Z490, H470, Q470, W480 | Z490, H470, Q470, W480 | Works out of the box |
| 400 series: B460, H410 | B460, H410 | Works out of the box |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1200.
LGA 1200 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,200 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 37.5 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | April 2020 |
| Memory | DDR4 only |
| Cooler mounting holes | 75 × 75 mm |
What the Xeon W-1290P is
The Xeon W-1290P is a ten core, twenty thread workstation flagship from the Comet Lake W-1200 family. It launched in May 2020 with a 3.7 GHz base and up to 5.3 GHz Velocity Boost at 125 W. The P suffix marks high performance with a 95 W down configuration for smaller towers.
Boost runs 5.1 GHz through Turbo 2.0, 5.2 GHz through Max 3.0, and 5.3 GHz Velocity Boost on a cool favored core. The high base keeps modeling interactive while rendering spreads across ten cores. Twenty megabytes of cache smooth large assembly work.
P630 graphics with workstation drivers cover CAD viewports without a card. Discrete Quadro cards handle heavy assemblies. ECC UDIMM support guards workstation sessions, which separates the P series from consumer K chips with similar clocks.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The W-1290P fits LGA 1200 on W480 workstation boards with 125 W power stages. Strong VRM cooling and case airflow decide sustained boost. Consumer Z490 boards boot the chip but run memory without ECC.
The 95 W down mode helps compact towers that cannot cool the full envelope. Full 125 W needs a mid tower with front to back airflow. Boards for LGA 1151 are incompatible.
The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide weighs W480 ECC against Z series tuning for buyers torn between workstation stability and overclocking.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR4-2933 ECC UDIMM in two channels up to 128 GB is the workstation standard. Two 32 GB ECC sticks cover large BIM models. Memory tuning beyond the rating is a consumer board practice, not a workstation one.
Sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes drive a Quadro card, with NVMe through board wiring. A W-1290P with a high end Quadro and dual NVMe SSDs is the single socket CAD flagship of its year. Chipset lanes add 10 Gb networking options.
Cooling needs a large tower or 240 mm liquid for 125 W continuous. The 75 mm LGA 1200 pattern reuses LGA 1151 era workstation coolers. Details are in the CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide.
Upgrade paths
On W480 the standard Intel Xeon W-1290 trims power to 80 W with slightly lower clocks, while the W-1270 drops to eight cores for budget seats. Both reuse board and ECC memory.
There is no unlocked Xeon W-1200 multiplier, so tuners look at consumer K chips without ECC instead. The next workstation refresh needs a new platform with DDR5 ECC.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Xeon W-1290P use?
It uses LGA 1200 on W480 workstation boards.
How fast is the W-1290P?
3.7 GHz base with up to 5.3 GHz Velocity Boost across ten cores.
Does the W-1290P support ECC?
Yes, DDR4-2933 ECC UDIMM up to 128 GB on W480.
What graphics are in the W-1290P?
Intel UHD Graphics P630 with certified drivers.
Is the W-1290P overclockable?
No. The multiplier is locked, with a 95 W down mode for small towers.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .