In short: Intel’s 4th technology Xeon information heart processors are lastly approaching public launch three years after the corporate initially introduced them. Extra hints about arguably the brand new collection’ most controversial function have additionally emerged however necessary questions stay.
Intel will maintain a launch occasion for its next-generation Xeon information heart CPUs on January 10. Across the similar time as Intel’s affirmation this week, a Linux kernel replace has shed some mild on a deliberate system for à la carte processor {hardware} options.
Since Intel first introduced Sapphire Rapids in 2019, leaks and software program updates have revealed a lot concerning the upcoming CPU line. It’s going to run on 56 cores and 112 threads with a most TDP of 360 watts. BIOS info suggests the TDP might attain as excessive as 764W to accommodate issues like AVX-512 workloads. Some fashions will embrace 64GB of in-package HBM2e reminiscence functioning as an L4 cache.
Mark your calendars. “️ “…
New information heart launch occasion coming January tenth, which can embrace 4th Gen Intel #XeonScalable processors.
Be taught extra concerning the momentum that is constructing and the amount ramp underway. https://t.co/NiB8IKEQvH
— Intel Information (@intelnews) November 1, 2022
One other distinctive element is that Intel plans to promote some Xeon processors at decrease costs, locking some {hardware} options behind paid software program gates. Theoretically, Intel might supply the choice as a less expensive different to upgrading the CPU itself.
Thus far, Intel solely seems to be planning to implement the thought on Linux, and Linux software program updates are the first supply for early details about it. Known as “Intel Software program Outlined Silicon” in patch notes from final September, a brand new Linux kernel replace renamed the function “Intel On Demand.” In any other case, Intel nonetheless describes it as a system the place customers buy authentication certificates to unlock {hardware} options.
The corporate hasn’t stated which {hardware} options it’d lock behind software program licenses. Nonetheless, one Intel On Demand function is a “meter certificates” that checks utilization information for bought {hardware} capabilities. It might be a device to assist customers gauge how a lot they’re getting for his or her cash from every authentication certificates.
Sapphire Rapids will compete with AMD’s upcoming “Genoa” collection of Epyc processors. The corporate will maintain an occasion to totally reveal the collection on November 10 at 1 p.m. Jap. We all know it options chiplets with as much as 96 cores, 192 threads, and a 360W TDP. Genoa relies on the identical Zen 4 CPU structure because the Ryzen 7000 processors AMD not too long ago launched, in addition to TSMC’s 5nm node.
