Intel Launches Xeon W-2500/3500 Series Workstation CPUs with up to 60 Cores, Priced at $5,889

Amidst the AI boom, Intel is eager to keep pace. Although the company has not developed large language models of its own, it aims to empower AI developers with its newly released Xeon W-2500/3500 series workstation processors, offering enhanced performance capabilities.

Intel claims these new Xeon workstation processors can help software developers, scientists, creative professionals, and engineers complete more AI-related tasks faster and increase productivity.

These new processors are officially released today and are expected to be available in finished devices (primarily desktop workstations) by September. Intel has not disclosed specific prices, but the starting price for the new Xeon W series processors is 609, with the highest price reaching 5,889.

The entry-level new Xeon processor, the Intel Xeon W3-2525, is priced at 609, while the high-end Intel Xeon W9-3595X is priced at 5,889. The pricing reflects significant differences in core counts, threads, cache, and frequency across the processors.

The new series starts with a minimum of 6 cores (W3-2423/2425), offering configurations of 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 26, 36, 44, and up to 60 cores.

Key features of the Intel Xeon W-2500/3500 processors include:

• The Intel Xeon W-2500/3500 processors can achieve a turbo frequency of up to 4.8GHz.
• L3 cache sizes reach up to 112.5MB (for the W9-3595X) and 48.75MB (for the W7-2595X), enabling better performance and data management.
• Support for 8-channel DDR5 RDIMM memory, with configurations up to 4TB.
• Continued support for ECC memory and RAS technology to enhance data integrity and system reliability.
• The Intel Xeon W-3500 series offers up to 112 CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes, while the W2500 series provides up to 64 lanes. These PCIe 5.0 lanes enhance the overall computing capabilities of devices by supporting multiple GPUs, SSDs, and network cards.
• Support for the third generation of Intel Deep Learning Acceleration (AMX/Bfloat16) and AVX-512 to enhance AI training and inference capabilities.
• Integration of Intel WiFi 6E technology for the latest in network connectivity support (Note: It would be more appropriate to offer the latest WiFi 7).
• Continued overclocking support for unlocked processors, including overclocking and DDR5 XMP 3.0 RDIMM memory overclocking functions.
• Support for Intel vPro enterprise technology with hardware-enhanced security features, firmware version control, and remote management capabilities.