Intel has recently expanded its Xeon 6 processor lineup, introducing the 6700 and 6500 models designed for high-performance computing and edge applications. These new processors feature Performance-cores (P-cores) for enhanced computing capabilities, joined by Efficiency cores (E-cores) aimed at optimizing power consumption.
The latest Xeon 6 models offer significant improvements over prior iterations, delivering 1.4 times the performance of the previous generation for various enterprise workloads. More notably, Intel asserts that these processors surpass the 5th generation AMD Epyc chips by a factor of up to 1.5.
The distinctions between the 6700 and 6500 series lie in their performance levels and core counts. The 6700 series can accommodate between 8 to 86 cores, while the 6500 series ranges from 12 to 32 cores, both featuring 8 channels of DDR5 memory. This is a reduction from the 12 channels offered in the 6900 models. The 6500/6700 series are also more versatile with their socket options, supporting configurations of up to eight sockets per motherboard, unlike the dual-socket design of the 6900.
In a recent briefing, Ronak Singhal, Intel’s chief architect for Xeon products, discussed the increasing need for higher memory capacities, particularly for mission-critical applications like in-memory databases. He underlined the importance of pairing increased memory capacity with accompanying compute power to maximize efficiency and utilization.
In addition to the high-performance Xeon 6 processors, Intel has introduced a system-on-chip (SoC) variant focused on network and edge computing, designed for enhanced performance and power efficiency. This includes built-in accelerators tailored for virtualized radio access networks (vRAN), AI applications, and network security. Per Intel’s claims, these SoCs yield 2.4 times the RAN capacity and a 70% improvement in performance-per-watt compared to previous generation processors.
To complement these new offerings, Intel also launched two lines of Ethernet controllers and network adapters targeted at the needs of enterprise, telecommunications, cloud, and high-performance computing environments. The Intel Ethernet E830 Controllers optimize for high-density workloads, while the E610 Controllers are designed for control plane functions.
For more details on these developments, visit Intel’s official announcements and related resources.
