The Sun 3912A (3912A - Sun 2.93GHz 4.80GT/s QPI 8MB L3 Cache Intel Xeon W3540 Quad Core Processor) is a Processors component engineered for sustained enterprise-class workloads. This part addresses common procurement scenarios where exact-match replacement, capacity expansion, or new-build deployment is required. Technical specifications include clock speed of 2.93 GHz, bus speed of 4.80 GT/s, cache of 8MB L3. Typical use cases include data-center server fleet refresh, replacement of dead-on-arrival CPUs under existing service contracts, second-socket population on partially-populated dual-socket boards, and lab/test rebuild programs. Pro Disk Network supplies the 3912A to US business buyers. Stocked units ship same-day on in-stock orders placed before 3pm ET. Pro Disk Network applies a 90-day functional warranty. Free US ground shipping on orders over $150; same-day expedited (UPS Next Day Air, FedEx Priority) available at checkout.
The 3912A is a Sun processors component with clock speed 2.93 GHz, bus speed 4.80 GT/s, cache 8MB L3. Pricing on the 3912A is quote-based — email sales@prodisknetwork.com or use our live chat for a quote within one business day.
Confirm the socket against your motherboard's CPU support list - Intel Xeon Scalable spans LGA 3647 (1st/2nd gen), LGA 4189 (3rd gen Ice Lake), and LGA 4677 (4th/5th gen Sapphire/Emerald Rapids). A BIOS update is often required for newer steppings even on the same socket. Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with your motherboard model for a compatibility check.
How fast does the 3912A ship?
3912A orders placed before 3 pm ET ship the same business day from US warehouses. Delivery is next business day to most metro ZIPs via FedEx/UPS overnight; ground delivery covers remaining US in 1-4 business days.
The 3912A is deployed by US enterprises, MSPs, government, and education customers across multiple infrastructure scenarios. Below are the most common deployment patterns Pro Disk Network sees in real-world orders.
Hyper-V Cluster Node — Windows Server Datacenter licenses by core, but Hyper-V scales linearly. Higher-clock, mid-core SKUs win for transactional workloads.
Citrix VDI Pool — Frequency-sensitive — prefer high-clock 16–18 core SKUs over high-core-count parts to maintain user-perceived snappiness.
Kubernetes / Tanzu Workers — Higher core count amortises better across many small Pods. EVC mode planning matters for live-migrate parity.
AI Inference Host — Sapphire Rapids and Emerald Rapids include AMX silicon for INT8 inference acceleration — meaningful uplift for BERT, ResNet, and LLM serving.
What is the 3912A?
The 3912A is a Sun server-class processor with clock speed 2.93 GHz and bus speed 4.80 GT/s, manufactured by Sun. Pro Disk Network ships this part new and certified-refurbished from our US warehouse with same-day dispatch on orders placed before 3 PM ET, backed by a 30-day return guarantee.
Pros & Cons of 3912A
Pros
Lower cost than the manufacturer channel for refresh cycles
Matched-pair option for dual-socket consistency
Sequential serial numbers on bulk orders for cluster builds
Cons
Older microarchitecture — not appropriate for new AI/AMX workloads
Not always silicon-binned for overclocking
Stepping mismatch with newer revisions can require microcode update
Frequently Asked Questions about 3912A
Is the 3912A a genuine Sun part?
Yes. Pro Disk Network sources every 3912A as factory-original Sun inventory. New units arrive sealed in OEM packaging; refurbished units are pulled from decommissioned Sun servers, surface-tested, and re-warranted by Pro Disk Network for 90 days.
What socket does the 3912A use?
Confirm the socket against your motherboard's CPU support list - Intel Xeon Scalable spans LGA 3647 (1st/2nd gen), LGA 4189 (3rd gen Ice Lake), and LGA 4677 (4th/5th gen Sapphire/Emerald Rapids). A BIOS update is often required for newer steppings even on the same socket. Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with your motherboard model for a compatibility check.
How fast does the 3912A ship?
3912A orders placed before 3 pm ET ship the same business day from US warehouses. Delivery is next business day to most metro ZIPs via FedEx/UPS overnight; ground delivery covers remaining US in 1-4 business days.
What is the warranty on the 3912A?
New 3912A units carry the full Sun manufacturer warranty (typically 1 to 5 years depending on product line). Refurbished and bulk-OEM units include a Pro Disk Network advance-replacement warranty (90 days refurbished). DOA replacement is free within 30 days of receipt.
Do you offer bulk pricing for the 3912A?
Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with the quantity and target ship date for a quote within one business day.
Socket Compatibility, EVC Mode, and BIOS Revision Planning
For VMware vSphere clusters, EVC (Enhanced vMotion Compatibility) mode dictates which CPU generations can coexist in the same cluster while still supporting live migration. Adding a newer-generation 3912A to a cluster with older CPUs requires setting EVC to the older baseline, which disables newer instructions on the new CPU. Plan EVC mode at cluster creation time; changing it later requires powering off the cluster.
AI Workloads, AMX, and the Inference Performance Story
Plan memory bandwidth alongside the CPU: AMX inference is memory-bandwidth sensitive. A 3912A paired with insufficient memory channels (e.g., DDR5-4800 in fewer than 8 channels per socket) will underperform its theoretical peak by 30-40%. Confirm motherboard channel count and DIMM population before ordering.