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Intel launches Xeon W processors with up to 18C / 36T

by Mark Tyson on 30 August 2017, 11:10

Tags: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qadk6z

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Intel has launched the Xeon W Processor series aimed at mainstream single socket workstations. It claims the new Intel Xeon Scalable processors can improve productivity, especially in its target markets of photorealistic design, modelling, artificial intelligence (AI), analytics and virtual-reality (VR) content creation.

We already saw a hefty crop of Xeon Scalable processors launched in July. Fifty new Xeon processors were detailed at that launch broken down into four segments; with the up to 28 core / 56 thread Xeon Platinum at the top, followed up by the up to 22 core Xeon Gold processors, with Xeon Silver and Gold processors in the supporting ranks. In Intel's language the Platinum, gold, silver and bronze Xeon Scalable processors were made for "agile, secure workload optimised hybrid cloud" operations. So they were aimed at data centres. If you are a traditional Xeon customer wanting to upgrade your 'traditional' workstation(s) this is where the new Xeon W processors come in.

The top end new Xeon W is the Intel Xeon W-2195 processor. It boasts 18c/36T configuration with a base/boost clock of 2.3/4.3GHz. According to Intel's own testing, performance improvements based upon a "4 year refresh" are approx 1.87x, and there's a 1.38x improvement compared to the immediately previous Xeon generation. Intel Xeon W processors can only be configured in single socket systems.

Whichever you choose from today's launch there are 48 PCI Express 3.0 lanes provided, up to 512GB of RAM is supported, a motherboard with socket 2066 is required, and every new Xeon W chip, bar the entry level 4C/8T pair (120W) has a TDP of 140W.

Please check out the full product matrix published by Intel, below (click to zoom in). Notably the 18C/36T and 14C/28T duo at the top of the chart are unpriced at the time of writing. Intel says that these two goliaths will be available from Q4 this year. The priciest Xeon W we know of is the 10C/20T W-2155, at US$1,440.



HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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So basically they have created another product segment to sit between i9 and Xeon Server cores…wha…?
No ECC support apparently.
CAT-THE-FIFTH
No ECC support apparently.
Except for the “Four channel DDR4 2666 ECC memory support” in the bullet points (second image).

I wonder if the new W series replaces the E3 series. If so, entry level Xeons processors suddenly got a lot more powerhungry …and quite a bit more expensive. At least Intel didn't repeat the Kaby Lake X gaffe…
Charlie really isn't a fan :)

https://semiaccurate.com/2017/08/29/amds-epyc-pummels-intels-new-xeon-w-workstation-cpus/

So 14C less, higher base clocks, slightly higher turbo, and a crippled memory subsystem for your hard-earned dollars.

edit:

azrael-
Except for the “Four channel DDR4 2666 ECC memory support” in the bullet points (second image).

Yeah, lack of ECC would be instant game over in this market, but apparently they rate their chances with restricting the RAM size to 756GB. Have they seen how much RAM you need to compile one of their really big FPGAs these days? Would be amusing if they force customers over to AMD processors to use Intel's own Altera FPGA tech :D
Compared to Intel's oh so welcoming marketing, the GoCompare man doesn't seem so annoying. At least he doesn't ask you to spend Ā£1300 on a CPU with ECC, 36 threads, 25mb cache that struggles against itself to not cause global warming and requires a premium motherboard, just to sell you short by calling it “mainstream”.