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Server Configuration: "Chipset" - A Deep Dive

This document provides a comprehensive technical overview of the "Chipset" server configuration, a high-performance server platform designed for demanding workloads. This configuration focuses on delivering a balance of compute, memory, and I/O capabilities, making it suitable for virtualization, database applications, and high-performance computing. This document is intended for system administrators, IT professionals, and hardware engineers responsible for deploying and maintaining server infrastructure.

1. Hardware Specifications

The "Chipset" configuration revolves around the Intel C621A chipset, leveraging the capabilities of 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors. The specifications are detailed below.

Component Specification Details
CPU Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (2 x Processors) 32 Cores (16 Cores per CPU), 64 Threads, 2.0 GHz Base Frequency, 3.4 GHz Turbo Boost Max 3.0 Frequency, 48MB Intel Smart Cache, 165W TDP, CPU Heat Dissipation requirements are substantial.
Chipset Intel C621A Supports up to 8TB DDR4 ECC Registered DIMMs, PCIe 4.0, Multiple SATA/SAS ports, Integrated LAN controllers. See Chipset Architecture for more detail.
RAM 512GB DDR4-3200 ECC Registered DIMMs 16 x 32GB DIMMs, configured in octal-channel mode for maximum bandwidth. Utilizes DIMM Technology for improved reliability.
Storage - Primary 2 x 1.92TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD (RAID 1) Intel Optane SSD P4800X Series, offering high IOPS and low latency. See Storage Technologies for more information on NVMe.
Storage - Secondary 8 x 16TB SAS 12Gbps HDD (RAID 6) Seagate Exos X16, providing high capacity and data redundancy. Utilizing RAID Configuration for data protection.
Network Interface Card (NIC) 2 x 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx, supporting RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCEv2). Requires Network Configuration and proper cabling.
Power Supply Unit (PSU) 2 x 1600W Redundant 80+ Platinum Provides ample power for all components with redundancy for fault tolerance. Important for Power Management.
RAID Controller Intel RSTe SATA/SAS RAID Controller Hardware RAID controller supporting RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10.
Chassis 2U Rackmount Optimized for airflow and component density. See Server Form Factors for details.
Operating System Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.x A stable and reliable server operating system. Requires proper OS Installation and configuration.
Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) Intel AMT 15 Allows for remote management and monitoring of the server. Crucial for Remote Server Management.

2. Performance Characteristics

The "Chipset" configuration delivers exceptional performance across a variety of workloads. The dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 processors, combined with ample RAM and high-speed storage, provide a robust foundation for demanding applications.

  • SPEC CPU 2017 Results:
   *  SPECrate2017_fp_base: 250.3
   *  SPECrate2017_int_base: 380.1
   *  SPECspeed2017_fp_base: 125.7
   *  SPECspeed2017_int_base: 190.5
  • IOMeter Results (NVMe RAID 1):
   *  Random Read IOPS (4KB): 850,000
   *  Random Write IOPS (4KB): 700,000
   *  Sequential Read Throughput: 7.0 GB/s
   *  Sequential Write Throughput: 6.5 GB/s
  • Database Performance (PostgreSQL):
   *  TPC-C Benchmark (8 Cores): 120,000 tps
  • Virtualization Performance (VMware vSphere):
   *  Supports up to 100 virtual machines with 8 vCPUs and 64GB RAM each. This is dependent on Virtualization Technology and resource allocation.

These results demonstrate the "Chipset" configuration's ability to handle computationally intensive tasks, high-IOPS workloads, and large-scale virtualization deployments. The PCIe 4.0 interface significantly boosts storage and network performance. Performance is also heavily reliant on proper BIOS Configuration for optimal settings.

3. Recommended Use Cases

The "Chipset" configuration is ideally suited for the following applications:

  • Virtualization Host: Its high core count, large memory capacity, and fast storage make it an excellent platform for running multiple virtual machines. Consider using Hypervisor Selection for optimal performance.
  • Database Server: The configuration's performance and reliability are crucial for hosting demanding database applications like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle. Proper Database Optimization is key.
  • High-Performance Computing (HPC): Suitable for scientific simulations, data analytics, and other HPC workloads that require significant processing power and memory bandwidth. Requires careful Cluster Configuration.
  • In-Memory Computing: The large RAM capacity allows for running applications that rely heavily on in-memory data processing.
  • Business Intelligence (BI) & Analytics: The configuration can efficiently process large datasets for generating reports and insights. Data Analytics Tools integration is important.
  • Machine Learning (ML) & Artificial Intelligence (AI): Can handle the computational demands of training and deploying ML/AI models, especially when combined with GPU acceleration (requires additional hardware). See GPU Acceleration for more details.

4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The "Chipset" configuration is positioned as a high-end server platform. Here's a comparison with other common configurations:

Configuration CPU RAM Storage Network Estimated Cost Target Workload
Entry-Level Server Intel Xeon E-2300 Series 64GB DDR4-2666 2 x 480GB SATA SSD 1GbE $3,000 - $5,000 Web Hosting, Small Databases, File Server
Mid-Range Server Intel Xeon Silver 4310 128GB DDR4-3200 2 x 960GB SATA SSD + 4 x 8TB SAS HDD 10GbE $8,000 - $12,000 Medium-Sized Databases, Virtualization (Small Scale), Application Server
**"Chipset" Configuration** Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (Dual) 512GB DDR4-3200 2 x 1.92TB NVMe SSD (RAID 1) + 8 x 16TB SAS HDD (RAID 6) 100GbE $25,000 - $35,000 Large-Scale Virtualization, High-Performance Databases, HPC, AI/ML
High-End Server Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 (Dual) 1TB DDR4-3200 4 x 3.84TB NVMe SSD (RAID 10) + 16 x 18TB SAS HDD (RAID 6) 200GbE $50,000+ Mission-Critical Applications, Large-Scale HPC, Data Warehousing, Extreme Virtualization

The "Chipset" configuration provides a significant performance advantage over mid-range servers, particularly in I/O-intensive workloads, due to its NVMe storage and fast network interface. While not as expensive as high-end servers, it offers a compelling price-performance ratio for demanding applications. Careful consideration of Total Cost of Ownership is vital when comparing these configurations.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining the "Chipset" configuration requires attention to several key areas:

  • Cooling: The high-performance CPUs and components generate significant heat. Proper cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and ensure system stability. Utilize high-efficiency fans and consider liquid cooling for the CPUs. Monitoring Temperature Sensors is crucial.
  • Power Requirements: The dual 1600W power supplies provide redundancy but also require a dedicated power circuit. Ensure the data center environment can supply sufficient power and has appropriate Power Distribution Units (PDUs).
  • Firmware Updates: Regularly update the BIOS, RAID controller firmware, and network card firmware to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Utilize Firmware Management Tools.
  • Storage Management: Monitor the health of the SSDs and HDDs using SMART data and proactively replace failing drives. Implement a robust Backup and Recovery strategy.
  • Network Monitoring: Monitor network traffic and performance to identify bottlenecks and ensure optimal connectivity. Employ Network Monitoring Tools.
  • Physical Security: Secure the server chassis in a locked rack to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Airflow Management: Ensure proper airflow within the rack to prevent hotspots. Implement Data Center Airflow best practices.
  • Regular Diagnostics: Run periodic hardware diagnostics to identify potential issues before they cause downtime. Utilize Server Diagnostic Tools.
  • Logging and Monitoring: Implement comprehensive logging and monitoring to track system performance and identify potential problems. Leverage System Monitoring Software.


This document provides a detailed overview of the "Chipset" server configuration. Proper planning, implementation, and maintenance are essential to maximizing its performance and reliability. For further information, refer to the documentation provided by Intel and the component manufacturers.


Intel-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB CPU Benchmark: 8046
Core i7-8700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB CPU Benchmark: 13124
Core i9-9900K Server 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB CPU Benchmark: 49969
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Workstation 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000

AMD-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Ryzen 5 3600 Server 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 17849
Ryzen 7 7700 Server 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 35224
Ryzen 9 5950X Server 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 46045
Ryzen 9 7950X Server 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 63561
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 9454P Server 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe

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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️