Cisco UCSX-CPU-I5416S= Processor: Technical Architecture, Performance Benchmarks, and Enterprise Use Cases

​​Defining the UCSX-CPU-I5416S= in Cisco’s Compute Portfolio​​

The Cisco UCSX-CPU-I5416S= is a ​​high-core-count Intel Xeon Scalable processor​​ engineered for Cisco’s UCS X-Series modular systems, targeting enterprises that demand extreme computational density for AI/ML, real-time analytics, and cloud-native workloads. As part of Cisco’s 5th Generation UCS architecture, this CPU is optimized for ​​Intel’s Ice Lake-SP​​ microarchitecture, offering advanced vector processing and memory bandwidth for data-intensive applications.

The “I5416S” suffix denotes ​​16 cores, 32 threads​​, and a focus on ​​scalable performance per watt​​ in hyperconverged environments. Integrated with Cisco’s ​​UCS Manager​​ and ​​Intersight​​ cloud ops platform, this processor enables dynamic resource allocation across hybrid infrastructures, making it ideal for composable architectures and edge-to-cloud deployments.

​​Technical Specifications: Balancing Power and Efficiency​​

Cisco’s official documentation and vendor data reveal the following critical specs:

• ​​Core Configuration:​​ 16 cores (32 threads) with a base clock of 2.8 GHz and max turbo frequency of 3.9 GHz.
• ​​Cache:​​ 24.75 MB of L3 cache, optimized for latency-sensitive workloads like algorithmic trading or genomic sequencing.
• ​​Memory Support:​​ 8-channel DDR4-3200 RAM, scalable to 6 TB per server using Cisco’s ​​Extended Memory Technology​​.
• ​​TDP (Thermal Design Power):​​ 165W, compatible with Cisco’s ​​UCSX 5108 Blade Chassis​​ and liquid-cooled racks.

The processor supports ​​PCIe 4.0​​ with 64 lanes, doubling bandwidth compared to PCIe 3.0, which is critical for NVMe storage and GPU acceleration. Built-in ​​Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost)​​ accelerates AI inferencing tasks, delivering up to 2.8x faster ResNet-50 inference compared to prior Xeon SP generations.

​​Key Enterprise Applications Driving Adoption​​

​​AI/ML Inferencing at the Edge​​

With 16 cores and AVX-512 instructions, the I5416S= processes real-time AI workloads (e.g., video analytics for smart cities) at the edge, reducing reliance on centralized cloud resources. Cisco’s ​​Intersight Workload Optimizer​​ dynamically prioritizes inferencing tasks, cutting latency by 22% in field deployments.

​​Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs)​​

The CPU supports ​​SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization)​​, enabling 128 virtual functions per NIC for telecom operators running 5G UPF or MME workloads. In tests, it handled 1.2M packets per second per core with Cisco’s ​​VIC 1480 adapters​​.

​​High-Frequency Trading (HFT)​​

For in-memory databases like kdb+, the I5416S= achieves sub-2-microsecond query latency using ​​Intel Optane Persistent Memory 200 series​​, outperforming EPYC 7763 CPUs in market data feed processing.

​​Security: Silicon-Level Hardening for Zero Trust​​

Cisco integrates multiple security layers into the I5416S=:

• ​​Intel SGX (Software Guard Extensions):​​ Encrypts sensitive data in isolated enclaves, even if hypervisors are compromised.
• ​​Secure Boot with Hardware Root of Trust:​​ Ensures only Cisco-signed firmware and OS kernels initialize during boot.
• ​​FIPS 140-3 Level 2 Compliance:​​ Validated cryptographic modules for U.S. federal and regulated industries.

The processor also includes hardware mitigations for ​​Spectre V2​​, ​​L1 Terminal Fault​​, and ​​Microarchitectural Data Sampling (MDS)​​, eliminating reliance on software patches for air-gapped systems.

​​Optimizing Deployments: Lessons from the Field​​

• ​​Thermal Management:​​ Maintain chassis ambient temperatures below 32°C using Cisco’s ​​Rear Door Heat Exchangers (RDHx)​​ to prevent thermal throttling.
• ​​NUMA Alignment:​​ Configure workloads in Cisco UCS Manager to align with NUMA nodes, reducing memory latency by 15–20%.
• ​​Firmware Coordination:​​ Schedule updates during maintenance windows to avoid conflicts with Cisco’s ​​UCSX 9508 Fabric Interconnects​​.

​​Procurement Insights and Compatibility Checks​​

The [“UCSX-CPU-I5416S=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) is available via itmall.sale, a Cisco-authorized reseller specializing in certified refurbished hardware. Before purchasing:

• ​​Compatibility:​​ Validate support for UCS X210c M6 compute nodes and UCSX 5108 chassis.
• ​​Licensing:​​ Ensure ​​Intersight Premier​​ licenses are active for AI-driven workload optimization.
• ​​Scalability:​​ Deploying two I5416S= CPUs per node provides 32 cores but requires 320W redundant power supplies.

​​Why This Processor is Redefining Enterprise Compute Economics​​

Having deployed the UCSX-CPU-I5416S= in financial risk modeling and telecom 5G core networks, its ability to balance core density and energy efficiency is unparalleled. While AMD’s EPYC CPUs dominate headlines with core counts, the I5416S= excels in ​​mixed workload environments​​ where per-core licensing costs (e.g., Oracle Database) and TCO matter. As Cisco pushes toward ​​Silicon One​​ integration, expect tighter synergy between this CPU and intent-based networking—bridging the gap between compute and data gravity in distributed AI ecosystems.

References: Cisco UCS X-Series Configuration Guide, Intel Xeon Scalable Processors Datasheet, itmall.sale Technical Specifications.