Intel Targets AMD: New Xeon CPUs Aim to Eclipse Threadripper

Intel is gearing up to intensify its competition against the dominant AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors with the introduction of the Intel Xeon 600 Granite Rapids-WS CPU lineup. Recent disclosures reveal some intriguing details about these processors.

These CPUs are tailored for workstations, tapping into a segment that partially overlaps with the consumer market. The flagship models in this series will feature an impressive amount of cache memory, with the Xeon 696X and 698X sporting 336 MB of L3 cache. While it remains uncertain how many cores these top models will include, Intel has crafted four dies for the Granite Rapids line: a top-tier three-chiplet model with 128 cores, a dual-chiplet model with 86 cores, a single-chiplet version housing 48 cores, and a reduced-chiplet CPU option with 16 cores. The availability of these top-notch iterations in the workstation segment is still up in the air, but if Intel is intent on challenging the Threadripper, holding back on cores is not an option.

For comparison, the Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9995WX offers 96 cores and 384 MB of L3 cache, while the Threadripper 9980X features 64 cores and 256 MB of L3 cache, highlighting significant competition in terms of raw performance.

The upcoming CPUs are slated for release next year and are expected to be manufactured utilizing Intel’s 3 process technology, which, while cutting-edge, might not place them as the most advanced in the semiconducting field.

Currently, the semiconductor industry witnesses rapid advancements, and Intel’s adoption of the new process technology is anticipated to enhance energy efficiency and performance. This strategic move positions Intel to better meet the demands of high-performance applications that require substantial processing power and efficient multi-threaded capabilities.