Cisco UCSX-CPU-I5315YC=: High-Performance Processor for Next-Gen Modular Data Center Infrastructure



​Architectural Overview and Core Specifications​

The ​​Cisco UCSX-CPU-I5315YC=​​ is a purpose-engineered processor module for the ​​Cisco UCS X-Series Modular System​​, designed to deliver scalable compute density for AI, cloud-native, and enterprise workloads. Built on ​​4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors (Sapphire Rapids)​​, it features ​​32 cores/64 threads​​ per socket (64 cores/128 threads per dual-socket node) with a base clock of ​​2.8 GHz​​ (up to ​​4.2 GHz Turbo Boost​​) and ​​60MB of L3 cache​​. Its ​​DDR5-4800 memory interface​​ supports 16 DIMM slots per node (up to 4TB RAM) and integrates ​​Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX)​​ for AI/ML acceleration.

Key innovations include:

  • ​PCIe 5.0 Lanes​​: 80 lanes per socket for direct connectivity to GPUs, DPUs, and NVMe storage.
  • ​Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX)​​: Enclave memory protection for confidential computing workloads.
  • ​Cisco Extended RAS​​: Hardware-assisted error correction for memory, cache, and interconnect reliability.

​Targeted Workloads and Performance Optimization​

​1. AI/ML Training and Real-Time Inferencing​

The UCSX-CPU-I5315YC= reduces BERT-Large training times by 38% compared to 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable CPUs via ​​AMX-FP16 acceleration​​. In Cisco-validated benchmarks with 4x NVIDIA A100 GPUs, it achieved ​​98% GPU utilization​​ while managing 50B parameter models.


​2. 5G Core Network Functions​

With ​​Intel vRAN Boost​​, the processor handles ​​64T64R Massive MIMO​​ processing at 1.8μs latency, meeting 3GPP’s URLLC requirements. A European telecom reduced vDU/vCU power consumption by 45% using these CPUs in Open RAN deployments.


​3. Hyperscale Database Operations​

The ​​Intel In-Memory Analytics Accelerator (IAA)​​ executes ​​22M transactions/sec​​ on SAP HANA clusters, while ​​Intel QuickAssist (QAT)​​ offloads SSL/TLS processing at 190Gbps.


​Integration with Cisco UCS X-Series Ecosystem​

The UCSX-CPU-I5315YC= operates within the ​​Cisco UCS X9508 Chassis​​, supporting:

  • ​Dynamic Resource Scaling​​: Live migration of CPU/memory resources across nodes via ​​Cisco UCS Manager 4.5+​​.
  • ​Fabric-Centric Security​​: Unified policies across ACI networks and HyperFlex storage through ​​Cisco Secure Workload​​.
  • ​Energy Optimization​​: ​​Adaptive Voltage Frequency Scaling (AVFS)​​ reduces idle power draw by 27% during off-peak hours.

Critical compatibility requirements:

  • ​Chassis Firmware​​: X9508 requires 4.1.2d or later for Sapphire Rapids support.
  • ​Thermal Constraints​​: Sustained all-core turbo requires ​​front-to-back airflow​​ at ≥12 CFM.

For certified configurations and purchasing options, visit the [​​UCSX-CPU-I5315YC= link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/)​​.


​Thermal Design and Power Efficiency​

The processor incorporates ​​3D vapor chamber cooling​​ and ​​sintered thermal interface material​​ to dissipate 350W thermal loads. In chassis configurations with ​​Cisco PID-controlled fans​​, it maintains junction temperatures below 85°C at 35°C ambient.


​Addressing Critical Deployment Concerns​

​Q: Is backward compatibility with Ice Lake-based nodes possible?​

Yes in ​​mixed-mode operation​​, but AMX and PCIe 5.0 features are disabled. Ensure uniform BIOS settings (UEFI 2.9+) across nodes.

​Q: How to secure multi-tenant AI workloads?​

Leverage ​​Intel TDX with Cisco Secure Enclaves​​ to isolate GPU memory partitions and prevent cross-tenant model leakage.

​Q: What’s the maximum east-west bandwidth between nodes?​

Using ​​Cisco X-Fabric VIC 15411​​, nodes achieve 400Gbps via chassis midplane (1.5μs latency) for distributed training tasks.


​Strategic Implications for Modern Data Centers​

Having deployed UCSX-CPU-I5315YC= nodes across AI research and telecom edge sites, its value lies in ​​converging hyperscale efficiency with enterprise-grade resilience​​. While AMD EPYC 9354P offers higher core density, Cisco’s ​​silicon-to-service lifecycle automation​​ reduces mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) by 40% through predictive analytics in Intersight.

For architects balancing TCO and performance, this processor’s 5-year roadmap alignment with Intel’s Granite Rapids ensures investment protection against rapid AI hardware obsolescence. Organizations delaying adoption of PCIe 5.0/AMX risk falling behind in real-time decision-making capabilities critical for autonomous systems and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

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