Codenamed Cascade Lake (CSL), latest Intel’s Xeon processors were launched earlier this month, but it appears as if Intel has another ace in the hole. According to reports by ServeTheHome, Intel is secretly readying its Xeon Gold U-series processors to contend with AMD’s EPYC P-series in the single-socket market.
Intel seems to be feeling the pressure from AMD EPYC competition and is launching series of “Xeon Gold U-series” processors that do not have UPI links and are therefore single socket only parts.
Speculative theory suggests that this could be because Intel plans to offer these parts to customers who already have an EPYC system quote in hand.
At STH, we have learned that Intel is going to be selling U-series Intel Xeon Gold CPUs for the single socket only market to address competition from AMD EPYC. We have learned of two SKUs, potentially more SKUs coming. Thus far, we have confirmed with Intel and a major OEM that at least the three SKUs we have are valid.
Intel’s Xeon Gold U-series would be aiming directly at AMD’s EPYC P-series in the single socket market. The three alleged SKUs are the Xeon Gold 6212U, Xeon Gold 6210U, and Xeon Gold 6209U.
Xeon Gold 6212U | Xeon Gold 6210U |
Xeon Gold 6209U |
|
Architecture |
Skylake | Skylake | Skylake |
Socket |
LGA 3647 | LGA 3647 | LGA 3647 |
Cores / Threads |
24 / 48 | 20 / 40 | 20 / 40 |
Base Frequency (GHz) |
2.4 | 2.5 | 2.1 |
Boost Frequency |
3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
Cache |
35.75MB | 27.5MB | 27.5MB |
Process |
14nm++ | 14nm++ | 14nm++ |
TDP |
165W | 150W | 125W |
Memory Speed |
DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2933 |
Memory Controller |
Hexa-Channel | Hexa-Channel | Hexa-Channel |
PCIe Lanes |
48 | 48 | 48 |
Estimated Pricing |
$2000 | $1500 | $1000 |
All of these would appear to be cut down versions of Xeon Platinum counterparts. Where they differ, however, is that the Xeon Gold U-series would shed the UPI (Ultra Path Interconnect) link, meaning the chips are geared towards single-socket servers.
Intel Xeon Gold 6212U:
The Xeon Gold 6212U is the single-socket version of the Xeon Platinum 8260. It shares the same specifications as its Platinum counterparts, such as the 24 cores, 48 threads, 35.75MB of cache, and a 165W TDP (thermal design power) rating. The chip runs at a 2.4GHz base clock and 3.9GHz boost clock.
Intel Xeon Gold 6210U:
The Xeon Gold 6210U is a bit more modest, taking on 20 cores and 40 threads with a 150W TDP. The Xeon Gold 6210U runs a base clock of 2.5 GHz, with a boost clock of 3.9 GHz.
Intel Xeon Gold 6209U:
Xeon Gold 6209U is based on the Xeon Gold 6230. The chip shares the same core count and amount of cache as the Xeon Gold 6210U but has a slightly lower base clock and TDP rating. The Xeon Gold 6209U has a 2.1GHz base clock, 3.9GHz boost clock, and a 125W TDP.
The Xeon Gold 6212U, Xeon Gold 6210U, and Xeon Gold 6209U are rumored to arrive for $2000, $1500, and $1000, respectively.