Introduction
Intel has already started the release of its new Xeon platform with a new naming convention signifying its architectural changes to the platform. The all-new Intel Xeon 6 processors are offering solutions tailored for opposing ends of the computing spectrum while delivering massive per-node density and per-core performance.
With the initial release of the Intel Xeon 6700E, we saw the E-core variant of the 6th Gen Xeon featuring an impressive density of up to 144 cores. the official announcement of Intel Xeon 6900P sees the traditional P-core model delivering a similar density at 128 cores.
In this blog we go over the two types of processors Intel is rolling out in their new Xeon 6 platform; Intel Xeon 6900P and Intel Xeon 6700E as well as the new architectural changes that enable the wide yet tailored product stack.
Intel Xeon 6 Architecture Going Chiplet
Intel Xeon 6 utilizes a chiplet-based architecture where the I/O tile (which controls the CPU processes) and the Compute Tile (which houses the cores) are on their own individual silicon. Chiplets have more flexibility due to the manufacturing overhead saved by developing specialized processors every time.
Combining various configurations with different numbers of Compute Tile and different Compute Tile types while still using the same I/O tile allows for truly tailored solutions while saving on manufacturing costs.
We will go over the Intel Xeon 6700E which comes with 2 E-Core Compute Tiles and 2 I/O tiles and the Xeon 6900P which come with 3 P-Cores Compute Tiles and 2 I/O Tiles, both of which tackle unique workloads.
Intel Xeon 6E - E is for Efficiency
Intel Xeon 6700E code named Sierra Forest. All Intel Xeon 6700 SKUs (P or E) will be based on the smaller LGA-4710 socket. The Xeon 6700E targets data center customers running cloud virtualization workloads and microservices on older servers. Xeon 6700E positions to replace older 2nd Gen Xeon data centers reducing deployment's carbon footprint, saving on operational cost, and increasing overall performance.
All Intel Xeon 6E features all-core turbo clock speeds to hit all cores simultaneously instead of select cores spiking to that speed. Every single core will run full throttle (if occupied) for best performance on all core workloads, ideal for virtualization where each core is responsible for its own individual VM. Here are some other notable characteristics of the listed Xeon 6700E SKUs:
- No hyperthreading
- Dual Socket Scalable
- Except 6731E being single socket only
- DDR5 Memory Running at:
- 6400 MT/s for 6780E, 6766E, 6756E, 6740E
- 5600 MT/s for 6746E, 6731E, 6710E.
- 2 Intel DSA, 2 Intel IAA, 2 Intel QAT, and 2 Intel DLB accelerators
- 4 Intel QAR and 4 Intel DLB in 6470E and 6710E
- 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes for networking, storage, and hardware accelerators
These processors are a huge win for per-core efficiency housing with the most energy-efficient being the 144-core part with just a 250W TDP, a breath of fresh air coming from the ever-increasing power draw of the last couple of generations.
Model | Cores | Base Clock | All Core Turbo | L3 Cache | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6780E | 144 | 2.2 GHz | 3.0 GHz | 108 | 330 |
6766E | 144 | 1.9 GHz | 2.7 GHz | 108 | 250 |
6756E | 128 | 1.8 GHz | 2.6 GHz | 96 | 225 |
6746E | 112 | 2.0 GHz | 2.7 GHz | 96 | 250 |
6740E | 96 | 2.4 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 96 | 250 |
6731E | 96 | 2.2 GHz | 3.1 GHz | 96 | 250 |
6710E | 64 | 2.4 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 96 | 205 |
Intel Xeon 6E was released and announced earlier in Q3 but more SKUs are coming with a 288-core variant on the way in 2025.
Intel Xeon 6P - P is for Performance
Traditionally, the Intel Xeon lineup has always used all P-cores and the 6900P is no stranger to high performance. Xeon 6900 (P and E) is built on the larger LGA-7529 platform. Intel Xeon 6900P targets the classic high-performance computing workloads like AI, simulation, and real-time analytics where performance per core and performance per thread are more important than efficiency. These processors justify the high power draw when they can run a workload or execute a task fast.
The Intel Xeon 6900P top SKU model features a mind-boggling performance-focused 128 cores and 256 threads using a larger LGA 7529 socket. Here are some notable characteristics of the listed Xeon 6900P processors:
- All processors are dual-socket scalable
- DDR5 Memory Running at:
- 6400 MT/s RDIMMs
- and new 8800 MT/s MRDIMMs special for Intel Xeon 6P
- 4 Intel DSA, 4 Intel IAA, 4 Intel QAT, and 4 Intel DLB accelerators included in every SKU
- 96 PCIe Gen 5 lanes for networking, storage, and hardware accelerators
Model | Cores | Base Clock | All Core Turbo | Max Turbo | L3 Cache | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6980P | 128 | 2.0 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3.9 GHz | 504 | 500 |
6979P | 120 | 2.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3.9 GHz | 504 | 500 |
6972P | 96 | 2.4 GHz | 3.5 GHz | 3.9 GHz | 480 | 500 |
6952P | 96 | 2.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3.9 GHz | 480 | 400 |
6960P | 72 | 2.7 GHz | 3.8 GHz | 3.9 GHz | 432 | 500 |
Other Intel Xeon 6 SKUs were released later with different core counts and memory channels
Intel Xeon 6900P and Xeon 6700E Conclusions
Intel Xeon 6 tackles both ends of the spectrum of computing. With Xeon 6 with P-cores offer the best solution HPC and Xeon 6 with E-cores offer highly efficient solutions for parallel cloud and VM services.
Intel Xeon 6 delivers a new class of server platform design offering highly specific solutions for customers to extract the most optimal performance at the best efficiency. Prioritize speed? Prioritize power draw? Intel Xeon 6 makes concrete distinctions between platform lines with dedicated P-core and E-core Intel Xeon 6. SabrePC will stock and offer systems built on the Intel Xeon 6 platforms as they are released.
