The AMD EPYC 7551P is the latest addition to AMD’s high-performance server processor lineup, built on the Zen+ architecture. This 32-core behemoth promises to deliver unparalleled processing power and efficiency for demanding workloads, making it an attractive choice for datacenter operators, cloud providers, and enterprises.

Architecture and Core Count

The EPYC 7551P features a total of 32 cores, divided into four dual-core complexes, each with its own cache hierarchy. This unique design allows the processor to maintain high clock speeds while maintaining efficiency and reducing power consumption. The Zen+ architecture also brings improved IPC (instructions per clock) performance, making it an excellent choice for compute-intensive workloads.

Clock Speeds and Turbo Boost

The EPYC 7551P is available in two flavors: a base model with a 2.05 GHz base clock speed and a turbo boost of up to 3.0 GHz, and a higher-end variant with a 2.25 GHz base clock speed and a turbo boost of up to 3.4 GHz. While the lower-end model provides an excellent balance between performance and power consumption, the higher-end variant is geared towards applications that require maximum processing power.

Memory and Storage

The EPYC 7551P supports up to 256 GB of DDR4 memory across eight channels, offering a bandwidth of up to 204.8 GB/s. This generous memory capacity ensures smooth operation in resource-intensive workloads like virtualization, databases, and HPC applications. Additionally, the processor features four PCIe 3.0 lanes for connecting high-speed storage devices.

Integrated I/O

The EPYC 7551P boasts an impressive set of integrated I/O capabilities, including:

• Four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (20 Gbps each)
• Two SATA 6Gb/s ports
• One PCIe 3.0 x16 slot for graphics or high-speed storage
• Eight SATA Express lanes

Security Features

The EPYC 7551P includes several advanced security features, such as:

• Secure Boot with UEFI firmware support
• Platform Firmware Resilience (PFR) for secure boot and runtime protection
• AMD’s Secure Memory Encryption (SME) to protect sensitive data in memory

Power Efficiency and TDP

The EPYC 7551P is designed to deliver exceptional power efficiency, making it an attractive choice for datacenter operators who prioritize energy costs. With a TDP of up to 180W, this processor provides a balance between performance and power consumption.

Comparison with Competitors

In comparison to Intel’s Xeon Scalable processors, the EPYC 7551P offers:

• More cores (32 vs. 24-28) for improved multithreading
• Higher clock speeds (up to 3.4 GHz vs. up to 3.2 GHz)
• Increased memory capacity (up to 256 GB vs. up to 192 GB)

Conclusion

The AMD EPYC 7551P is a formidable server processor that delivers exceptional performance, efficiency, and scalability for demanding workloads. Its unique architecture, impressive core count, and generous memory capacity make it an attractive choice for datacenter operators and cloud providers.

While its power consumption may be slightly higher than some of its competitors, the EPYC 7551P’s capabilities make it an excellent investment for organizations that prioritize processing power and scalability in their server infrastructure.

Technical Specifications:

• Cores: 32
• Threads: 64
• Base Clock Speed: 2.05 GHz (base model) or 2.25 GHz (higher-end variant)
• Turbo Boost: up to 3.0 GHz (base model) or up to 3.4 GHz (higher-end variant)
• Memory Support: DDR4-2666, up to 256 GB
• Storage: four PCIe 3.0 lanes for connecting high-speed storage devices
• Integrated I/O: four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two SATA 6Gb/s ports, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot
• Security Features: Secure Boot with UEFI firmware support, Platform Firmware Resilience (PFR), AMD’s Secure Memory Encryption (SME)
• TDP: up to 180W