Intel presents Xeon W processors for workstations

Intel has presented new Xeon processors for workstations. The models in the Xeon W series are available with a maximum of 18 cores and 36 threads and, like the Core i9 CPUs, use the lga2066 socket. The Xeons support ECC memory, among other things.

The Xeon W processors are in fact the successors of the E5-1600 models. These are CPUs that are suitable for systems with one socket. The chips use the same lga2066 socket as the Core i9 CPUs from Intel’s hedt platform, but are intended for use in combination with the new C422 chipset.

Broadly speaking, the Xeon W processors are comparable to the Core i9 and i7 CPUs for the X299 platform. They are made on the 14nm process and there will be variants with 4 cores and 8 threads, up to a maximum of 18 cores and 36 threads. The Xeon W CPUs support workstation and server features such as ECC memory, vPro and Intel’s AMT. The Xeons also offer 48 pci-e lanes, regardless of the number of cores.

The top model, the Xeon W-2195, has 18 cores and 36 threads, with a clock speed of 2.3GHz and a turbo of 4.3GHz. There are 48 pci-e lanes available and up to 512GB of memory can be controlled. It is the counterpart of the Core i9-7980XE, which model for high-end desktops has the same number of cores and threads, but a higher speed of 2.6GHz, 44 PCI-e lanes and supports up to 128GB RAM.

Intel has not yet announced the details of all Xeon W CPUs. For example, the price of the models with 14 and 18 cores is not yet known and the clock speed of the 14-head CPU is also unknown. The top models should be released at the end of the year. The other Xeon W CPUs will probably come on the market sooner, but when exactly is not yet known.