Intel reveals new Xeon CPU roadmap for 2023-2025

Intel recently shared its plans for the next two years of Xeon series processors. The new Xeon series CPU roadmap was shown during the Data Center and AI Investor Webinar, giving us a glimpse at the four upcoming architectures planned to release by 2025: Emerald Rapids, Sierra Forest, Granite Rapids and Clearwater Forest.

The first to arrive will be Emerald Rapids, Intel's next P-core (Performance-core) server processors. As the 5th Generation of Intel Xeon Scalable processors, these CPUs are already being sampled for clients, with the final product release slated for Q4 2023. Volume validation is currently continuing, and Sandra Rivera, executive VP and GM of the Data Center and AI Group, recently stated that factory silicon quality is quite good.

In H1 2024, Intel plans to launch Sierra Forest, the first E-core server CPUs. Sierra Forest will have 144 cores per socket and will be the first architecture based on Intel 3 process node. Sierra Forest went live earlier this quarter, with several operating systems booting in at record speeds (less than a day). The first samples are already in the hands of partners.

Granite Rapids will follow closely behind Sierra Forest in 2024, packing only P-cores. Though no precise launch date has been announced, some details have already been unveiled. The new chips will share their platform with Sierra Forest CPUs, reducing their development and design times. Granite Rapids is passing all significant milestones, as there are already actual chips outside the factory distributed across a few of Intel's partners.

In addition, Spelman said that Intel is “constructing the quickest memory interface in the world for Granite Rapids.” This new memory is a new form of DIMM called Multiplexer Combined Rank (MCR). Intel claims these new modules can hit speeds of 8,800MHz, which is considerably faster than the high-end DDR5 memory modules of today.

Closing things up, Intel also unveiled Clearwater Forest. Like the Sierra Forest, these CPUs will only pack E-cores built on Intel's 18A, the node where Intel expects to establish process leadership again. The first chips based on this architecture are expected to arrive by 2025.

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KitGuru says: With the Intel 3 process node debuting in H1 2024 on Sierra Forest, there's a good chance that Arrow Lake, which is rumoured to release in the same time window, will be based on the same node. Moreover, the faster DDR5 memory is also interesting for the mainstream market, boosting memory speeds close to five digits.

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