Intel’s bold move: The Diamond Rapids Revolution. Intel is making a significant shift in its processor lineup, and it’s all about maximizing memory bandwidth. Say goodbye to the 8-channel Xeon 7 CPUs, as Intel is now fully committed to the 16-channel design.
An Intel spokesperson revealed to ServeTheHome that they’re streamlining their Diamond Rapids platform, prioritizing the 16-channel processors. This decision is a game-changer for Intel’s customer base, offering a substantial boost in performance across various workloads.
But here’s where it gets controversial…
For servers, Intel is introducing the Panther Cove P-cores, aiming for high core density. Expected to launch in late 2026, these chips will initially lack simultaneous multithreading. However, Intel promises to reintroduce Hyper-Threading with the subsequent Coral Rapids family, specifically tailored for data center needs.
And this is the part most people miss…
The real magic lies in the memory modules. Intel’s upcoming Diamond Rapids Xeon processors will utilize second-generation MRDIMMs (Multiplexer Rank Dual Inline Memory Modules), an upgrade from the first-generation MRDIMMs in the Xeon 6 family. This upgrade not only increases transfer rates to an impressive 12,800 MT/s (up from 8,800 MT/s), but also expands the number of memory channels to 16, providing an additional bandwidth boost. MRDIMMs achieve this by connecting more memory ranks using a multiplexer, buffering data and commands to maintain signal integrity.
So, what do you think? Is Intel’s decision to focus on 16-channel Xeon 7 CPUs a smart move? Will the increased memory bandwidth and MRDIMMs Gen 2 make a significant impact on performance? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!