What is the Difference Between 4S and S4S with Intel® Xeon® Processors?

This article explains the differences between 4S and S4S scalability options for Intel® Xeon® processors, focusing on their application in server configurations.

An Intel® Xeon® Scalable processor that supports 4S  or S4S scalability can be used in a server with up to four sockets. 

The difference between 4S and S4S configurations with Intel® Xeon® processors lies in their scalability and how they support multiprocessor systems:

4S (Non-Scalable 4 Socket):

This configuration refers to a non-scalable 4-socket setup. It means that the system can support up to 4 physical processors, but it does not support the scalable interconnects required for higher-performance multi-socket configurations.

This is typically suitable for applications that do not require extensive inter-processor communication or very high performance across multiple processors.

S4S (Scalable 4 Socket):

This setup refers to a scalable 4-socket configuration, meaning that the system can support up to 4 physical processors with scalable interconnects. These scalable interconnects, such as Intel UPI, enhance the communication between processors, providing higher performance and efficiency.

S4S configurations are designed for high-performance environments where there is a need for efficient inter-processor communication. This is often used in data centers, high-performance computing, and applications requiring intensive parallel processing.

The key distinction is that S4S configurations have the necessary scalable interconnects to support high-performance multi-socket setups, whereas 4S configurations do not.

For more detailed information, please visit:

• Intel® Xeon® Product Specifications
• Resource & Documentation Center