Performance for $7,699 and Key Features of Intel's Flagship Xeon 600 Processors

After a three-year pause, Intel has finally unveiled its new Xeon 600 series, specifically designed for high-performance workstations. Codenamed "Granite Rapids-WS," this lineup features server-grade architecture and a record-breaking 4 TB memory capacity while retaining typical workstation functionalities.

Record-Breaking Capabilities

The "star" of the series is the flagship Xeon 698X, boasting 86 performance cores and Hyper-Threading support. 

The lineup introduces cutting-edge technologies, including support for up to 4 TB of DDR5 memory (double the capacity of AMD Threadripper 9000 WX systems), 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes, and integrated Intel AMX AI accelerators in every core. Additionally, for the first time in the workstation segment, Intel has implemented support for multiplexed memory (MRDIMM) with speeds up to 8,800 MT/s.

Performance by the Numbers

According to the company, performance has seen a massive boost:

• 61% increase in multi-threaded computing (Cinebench 2026);
• 29% faster in AI video upscaling tasks in Topaz Labs;
• 74% faster rendering speeds in Blender Junkshop;

Pricing and Availability

The lineup consists of 11 models, ranging from a base 12-core chip for $499 to the flagship solution for $7,699. The launch of W890 chipset motherboards is scheduled for late March. By that time, manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo, Supermicro, and Puget will present their finished workstations.