HPE P74506-B21 Intel Xeon 6515P 16-Core Server Processor

The HPE P74506-B21 is a factory-new Intel Xeon 6515P processor option kit for HPE servers, running at a 2.3GHz base clock across 16 cores within a 150W thermal design envelope. If you are speccing a mid-density compute platform and need a predictable power budget without climbing into the upper TDP tiers, the 6515P's 150W ceiling keeps rack power planning straightforward — especially relevant when deploying multiple nodes in a shared PDU zone.

Key Features

• Intel Xeon 6515P, 16 Cores at 2.3GHz: The 16-core configuration targets workloads that need parallel thread capacity without the per-socket cost of higher core-count SKUs. At 2.3GHz base, it suits steady-state server workloads — database query processing, virtualization hosts, and multi-channel video analytics platforms — where consistent throughput matters more than peak single-thread burst.
• 150W Thermal Design Power: A 150W TDP sits in the mid-range for the Xeon 6000 series. For data center and edge deployments, this means standard HPE server cooling infrastructure handles the thermal load without requiring upgraded fan trays or additional airflow planning, reducing commissioning complexity compared to higher-wattage variants.
• HPE Option Kit (P74506-B21): Supplied as an HPE-qualified processor option, the P74506-B21 is matched to HPE platform firmware and validation matrices. Deploying HPE-kitted processors (versus field-sourced parts) keeps the platform within HPE's supported configuration list — important for environments where support contract coverage depends on running qualified hardware.
• Factory-New, Genuine Component: Sourced through commercial distribution channels. No grey-market, no parallel imports — the processor ships as a new, genuine Intel part in HPE packaging, which matters when the platform's service agreement requires traceable hardware provenance.
• Weight: 1.50 lb: The option kit ships at 1.50 lb, consistent with a boxed processor and retention hardware. Plan for standard ESD handling procedures during installation; processor and socket handling on HPE platforms follows HPE's documented installation sequence for the specific server model.

Integration and Compatibility

The P74506-B21 (often searched as P74506 B21) is an HPE-qualified processor option kit. Compatibility is specific to the HPE server platforms that list this part number in their QuickSpecs — verify against the target server's QuickSpecs document before ordering, as processor socket generations are not interchangeable across platform generations. The Xeon 6515P belongs to Intel's Xeon 6 product family; confirm the target HPE server platform supports this generation. For multi-processor configurations, match processor stepping and TDP across all sockets per HPE's configuration guidance.

This processor is suited to HPE server platforms in compute-dense deployments — virtualization clusters, parallel analytics nodes, and network video recorder appliances where per-core licensing costs make a 16-core count more economical than a higher-core alternative. Buyers evaluating platform builds should also review compatible server memory options and storage configurations to complete the bill of materials. For broader HPE compute options, see the full HPE catalog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What HPE server platforms is the P74506-B21 compatible with?

A: The P74506-B21 is an HPE-qualified option kit. Compatibility depends on the specific HPE server platform and its published QuickSpecs. Verify against the QuickSpecs document for your target server model before ordering — processor socket generations are platform-specific and not cross-compatible.

Q: What is the base clock speed and core count of the P74506-B21?

A: The P74506-B21 includes an Intel Xeon 6515P running at 2.3GHz base clock with 16 cores and a 150W TDP.

Q: Can the P74506-B21 be used in a dual-processor configuration?

A: Multi-processor configurations depend on the target HPE server platform's support for dual-socket operation. If the platform supports it, processors must match in stepping and TDP. Consult HPE's configuration guide for your specific server model.

Q: Is the P74506-B21 a new or refurbished part?

A: The P74506-B21 is supplied as a factory-new, genuine processor option kit sourced through commercial distribution — not refurbished, not grey-market.

Q: What is the TDP of the Xeon 6515P in the P74506-B21?

A: The Intel Xeon 6515P in this option kit has a 150W thermal design power. Standard HPE server cooling for qualified platforms handles this TDP without requiring special thermal upgrades.

James Everett

When I look at the P74506-B21, the spec that drives the decision is the 150W TDP on a 16-core Xeon 6515P at 2.3GHz — that combination puts it squarely in the segment where you are trading peak single-thread headroom for a manageable per-socket power draw across a multi-node deployment. For integrators building out HPE-based compute racks, that 150W ceiling is the number your facilities team will care about most when sizing branch circuits and UPS capacity.

Technical Highlights:

• 16 Cores at 2.3GHz Base: The 16-core layout on the Xeon 6515P targets parallel workloads — virtualization hosts, multi-stream analytics servers, and NVR back-end compute where thread count drives throughput more than clock speed alone.
• 150W TDP: Sits comfortably within the thermal envelope that standard HPE platform cooling handles without modification. In a dual-socket chassis, you are looking at 300W processor draw — a figure that feeds directly into PDU selection and UPS runtime calculations.
• HPE-Qualified Option Kit: The P74506-B21 part number signals this is an HPE-validated processor assembly, not a field-sourced Intel tray part. That distinction matters when the platform is covered under an active HPE support agreement that requires qualified configurations.

Deployment Considerations:

• Always cross-reference the P74506-B21 against the QuickSpecs for the specific HPE server model before committing to an order — the Xeon 6 socket generation is not backward-compatible with prior HPE platform generations, and an incompatible processor order creates a return/restock delay on a time-sensitive deployment.
• In multi-node clusters, processor stepping consistency matters. If you are mixing P74506-B21 units across nodes in a vSphere or Hyper-V cluster with live migration enabled, confirm stepping matches to avoid CPU compatibility mode penalties on VM migrations.

The P74506-B21 is the right call for HPE platform builds where a 16-core, 150W processor provides the right balance of parallel compute capacity and power predictability — particularly in edge data center deployments and video analytics back-end nodes where rack density and power budgets are fixed constraints from day one.