Intel's upcoming 'Granite Rapids-WS' Xeon processors are set to revolutionize the high-end desktop (HEDT) workstation market. This exciting development has been teased by a renowned hardware leaker, @momomo_us, who has provided an intriguing glimpse into the potential SKUs and their impressive specifications.
At the pinnacle of this preliminary list is the 698X SKU, boasting a massive 336 MB of L3 cache and a clock speed of 2.0 GHz across all cores. This lower clock speed hints at a higher-core SKU, a theory that adds an air of mystery to the upcoming launch. The 'Granite Rapids-WS' design is a masterpiece, based on Intel's XCC server compute dies, incorporating two compute tiles that deliver an astonishing 86 cores. This is further enhanced by two I/O tiles, ensuring seamless connectivity and control over PCIe and memory controllers.
But here's where it gets controversial: to exceed 86 cores, Intel might need to adopt the larger UCC die and a more substantial package, which could spark debates among enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The memory support for these workstation SKUs remains a bit of a puzzle, but the server XCC family, which these processors are derived from, supports DDR5-6400 and can achieve even higher effective speeds with MR-DIMMs. Intel is likely to strike a balance between capacity and board complexity with an eight-channel memory configuration, although a 12-channel setup is also a possibility.
The 'Granite Rapids-WS' processors are a testament to Intel's innovation, offering a quicker path to higher core counts in workstations by leveraging their server XCC dies. These server dies are modified with a new socket and package, showcasing Intel's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in workstation performance.
So, here's the preliminary list of SKUs, each with its unique combination of clock speed and L3 cache:
- 698X: 2.00 GHz, 336 MB
- 696X: 2.40 GHz, 336 MB
- 678X: 2.40 GHz, 192 MB
- 676X: 2.80 GHz, 144 MB
- 674X: 3.00 GHz, 144 MB
- 658X: 3.00 GHz, 144 MB
- 656: 2.90 GHz, 72 MB
- 654: 3.10 GHz, 72 MB
- 638: 3.20 GHz, 72 MB
- 636: 3.50 GHz, 48 MB
- 634: 2.70 GHz, 48 MB
And this is the part most people miss: Intel manufactures the I/O die for 'Granite Rapids' on the Intel 7 node, while the compute tiles are produced using Intel 3. This distinction is crucial as it showcases Intel's ability to optimize different components for maximum performance and efficiency.
So, what do you think? Are you excited about Intel's return to the HEDT workstation market? Do you think these specifications will deliver the performance we've all been waiting for? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on this exciting development!
