Intel Xeon 6990E+
Also called intel xeon 6990e+, xeon 6990e+, 6990e+, xeon-6990e+
Intel Xeon 6 server processor on Clearwater Forest, with 288 cores and 288 threads and 576 MB L3 at 450 W TDP addressing up to 1.5 GB and no integrated graphics.
What you need to know
Still a capable Xeon 6 desktop chip.
Intel Xeon 6990E+ launched in April 1, 2026., It has 288 cores and 288 threads on Clearwater Forest, dropping into the FCLGA7529 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.
- Still good?
- Yes, for most work this class is sold for
- Product age
- Less than a year old
- Upgrade pressure
- Low
What this hardware means today
Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.
- Performance today
- Excellent. Excellent for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
- Product age 0 years old
- Current generation. Launched April 1, 2026. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
- Support status
- Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
- Upgrade pressure
- Low. Upgrade pressure is low unless you need a different platform feature.
Where does it sit?
Clearwater Forest sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.
Performance context
These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.
Gaming: Poor fit
Not the job. Use a desktop or workstation part if games are the point.
Productivity: Excellent
288 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.
Multithreaded workloads: Very Good
288 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.
General use: Excellent
Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.
Efficiency: Average
Rated 450 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.
Should you upgrade?
Probably not if this chip already matches your work.
Upgrade makes more sense if
- Your workload is strongly CPU limited
- You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
- You need substantially more multicore performance
- You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer
Upgrade makes less sense if
- The GPU is the real bottleneck
- Current applications are already responsive
- The CPU rarely limits your workload
Specifications
Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.
Processor
Intel Xeon 6990E+ is built on Clearwater Forest.
| Manufacturer | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Xeon 6 |
| Architecture | Clearwater Forest |
| Generation | Intel Xeon 6+ processors |
| Segment | Server |
Cores and threads
Intel Xeon 6990E+ has 288 cores and 288 threads.
| Cores | 288 |
|---|---|
| E-cores | 288 |
| Threads | 288 |
| Hybrid architecture | Yes |
Clock speeds
Base clock is 2.2 GHz. Boost reaches 3.2 GHz.
| Base frequency | 2.2 GHz |
|---|---|
| Max boost | 3.2 GHz |
Cache
Cache on this sheet is 576 MB L3.
| L3 cache | 576 MB |
|---|---|
| Total cache | 576 MB |
Memory
Intel Xeon 6990E+ addresses 1.5 GB across 12 memory channels.
| Supported types | DDR5 |
|---|---|
| Max capacity | 1.5 GB |
| Channels | 12 |
Package and power
Intel Xeon 6990E+ uses the FCLGA7529 socket and a 450 W TDP.
| Socket | FCLGA7529 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 450 W |
| PCIe | Revision Gen5, 96 lanes |
Integrated graphics
Intel Xeon 6990E+ does not include integrated graphics.
| Integrated graphics | None |
|---|
Market
Intel Xeon 6990E+ launched April 1, 2026 at USD 14995 (suggested price at launch).
| Launch date | April 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | USD 14995 (suggested price at launch) |
| Model | 6990E+ |
Features
Intel Xeon 6990E+ records 6 instruction sets on this sheet.
| Instruction sets | AMXAVX-512AVX2AVXAVX-VNNI64-bit (x86-64) |
|---|---|
| Security | Control-flow Enforcement (CET)Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardOS GuardSGXTrusted ExecutionMode-Based Execute Control |
| Virtualization | Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) |
| AI acceleration | AMX (Advanced Matrix Extensions)Deep Learning Boost |
Compatibility
| Socket | FCLGA7529 |
|---|---|
| Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. |
| Memory | DDR5, up to 1.5 GB |
| Graphics | Requires a discrete GPU. This SKU has no iGPU. |
A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.
Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.
Do not expect a display from the motherboard video ports. This SKU has no integrated graphics.
No display after install
This SKU has no integrated graphics. A machine with no discrete GPU will not show a picture. That is expected, not a dead CPU.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.
- Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
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