Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4

Server CPUIntel

Also called intel xeon e7-8870 v4, xeon e7-8870 v4, e7-8870v4, xeon-e7-8870-v4

IntelServer CPUBroadwell

Intel Xeon E7 server processor on Broadwell, with 20 cores and 40 threads and 50 MB L3 at 140 W TDP on a 14 nm process addressing up to 3 GB and no integrated graphics.

What you need to know

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 is a legacy server cpu.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 launched in April 1, 2016., It has 20 cores and 40 threads on Broadwell, dropping into the FCLGA2011 socket. Treat the spec table as the facts. Age alone does not tell you to throw it out.

Still good?: Only if the workload is light
Product age: 10 years old
Upgrade pressure: Moderate

Feex says

This SKU has no picture of its own. If the machine has no discrete GPU, a black screen after install is expected, not a dead CPU.

What this hardware means today

Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.

Performance today: Average. Average for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
Product age 10 years old: Legacy. Launched April 1, 2016. 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: Moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.

Where does it sit?

Broadwell sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.

11th Gen

12th Gen

13th Gen

14th Gen

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: Average

20 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.

Multithreaded workloads: Very Good

40 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.

General use: Good

Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.

Efficiency: Average

Rated 140 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.

Should you upgrade?

Probably not based on CPU performance alone.

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 E7-8870 v4 is built on Broadwell using a 14 nm process.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Processor
Manufacturer	Intel
Family	Xeon E7
Architecture	Broadwell
Generation	Intel Xeon Processor E7 v4 Family
Manufacturing process	14 nm
Segment	Server

Cores and threads

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 has 20 cores and 40 threads.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Cores and threads
Cores	20
Threads	40

Clock speeds

Base clock is 2.1 GHz. Boost reaches 3.0 GHz.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Clock speeds
Base frequency	2.1 GHz
Max boost	3.0 GHz

Cache

Cache on this sheet is 50 MB L3.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Cache
L3 cache	50 MB
Total cache	50 MB

Memory

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 addresses 3 GB across 4 memory channels.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Memory
Supported types	DDR4, DDR3
Max capacity	3 GB
Channels	4

Package and power

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 uses the FCLGA2011 socket and a 140 W TDP.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Package and power
Socket	FCLGA2011
TDP	140 W
PCIe	Revision 3.0, 32 lanes

Integrated graphics

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 does not include integrated graphics.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Integrated graphics
Integrated graphics	None

Market

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 launched April 1, 2016 at USD 4672 (suggested price at launch).

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Market
Launch date	April 1, 2016
Launch MSRP	USD 4672 (suggested price at launch)
Model	E7-8870V4

Features

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 records 6 instruction sets on this sheet.

Intel Xeon E7-8870 v4 specifications: Features
Instruction sets	AMXAVX-512AVX2AVXAVX-VNNI64-bit (x86-64)
Security	Execute Disable (NX)Hardware RNGOS GuardSGXTrusted Execution
Virtualization	Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization)
AI acceleration	AMX (Advanced Matrix Extensions)Deep Learning Boost

Compatibility

Compatibility
Socket	FCLGA2011
Board	A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision.
Memory	DDR4, DDR3, up to 3 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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