Intel Unveils Granite Rapids Xeon 600 Series for Workstations
Intel has announced the launch of the Xeon 600 series, built on the Granite Rapids architecture. This marks a significant update to its workstation platform, replacing the older Xeon W-2500 and W-3500 lines. The Xeon 600 series introduces advanced technology designed to enhance performance and capabilities for high-end computing environments.
Key Features of Xeon 600 Series
The Xeon 600 series features Redwood Cove CPU cores and boasts an impressive core count, with top models offering up to 86 cores. This represents a 43% increase in core count compared to the previous Xeon W-3500 series, which provided a maximum of 60 cores. Several enhancements come with these new processors:
- Support for additional PCIe lanes and CXL 2.0 technology.
- Increased memory bandwidth and I/O capabilities.
- Multi-threaded performance improvements, with gains of up to 61% in specific workloads.
Transition from Xeon W to Xeon 600 Branding
The Xeon 600 series marks the end of the Xeon W branding, consolidating workstation offerings under a unified series. This change aligns the workstation product line more closely with Intel’s server-focused Xeon 6 series. The series consists of 11 SKUs, with core counts ranging from 12 to 86.
Chip Architecture and Performance
The heart of the Xeon 600 series is the Granite Rapids silicon, already in use for Intel’s Xeon 6 server line. Along with core increases, the architecture supports DDR5 memory at speeds up to 6400 MT/s, and higher-end configurations can utilize MRDIMM technology for even greater performance.
Specifications and TDP
| Model | Cores | Base TDP (W) | Peak TDP (W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xeon 634 | 12 | 150 | – |
| Xeon 698X | 86 | 350 | 420 |
| Xeon 696X | 64 | 350 | 420 |
Enhanced Connectivity and Features
Intel’s new W890 chipset accompanies the Xeon 600 series, introducing Wi-Fi 7 support and maintaining connectivity without substantial changes from its predecessors. The chipset is designed for use with motherboards from several manufacturers including ASUS, Gigabyte, and Supermicro.
Launch Timeline and Pricing
Intel’s Xeon 600 series is expected to be available by late March 2024. Pricing for Xeon processors will range widely, from approximately $500 to $7,700, depending on the SKU. Full systems using the new processors will also be available from various vendors, ensuring numerous options for users.
Conclusion
The Intel Xeon 600 series represents a significant leap forward in workstation performance, focusing on multi-threaded capabilities and advanced memory management. As businesses and professionals seek powerful computing solutions, the Xeon 600 series is poised to meet their demands effectively.
