🚀 Intel’s Granite Rapids-WS Xeon Leak: 64 Cores Targeting Threadripper
Intel’s next-generation Granite Rapids-WS workstation platform has surfaced once again through new leaks—this time revealing detailed specifications and benchmark results of the flagship Xeon 696X. The data shows clear performance jumps over Sapphire Rapids and positions Intel to compete aggressively with AMD’s Threadripper lineup.
🧩 Xeon 696X: Key Specs and Architecture #
According to the leak, the Intel Xeon 696X features:
- 64 Redwood Cove P-Cores
- 128 Threads
- Base Clock: 2.20 GHz
- Boost Clock: Up to 4.60 GHz
- L3 Cache: 336 MB
- L2 Cache: 128 MB
- TDP: 350W
- Unlocked SKU for workstation tuning
Compared with the previous 56-core Xeon W9-3495X, Granite Rapids brings higher core counts, vastly larger cache, and an improved microarchitecture—all contributing to noticeable real-world gains.
📊 Benchmark: Strong Gains Over Sapphire Rapids #
Tests from the SiSoftware database—run on an AdLink AXE-7400GRW Granite Rapids 4U workstation chassis—show significant uplift:
🔸 Multimedia Performance #
- Xeon 696X: 12,389.50 Mpix/s
- Xeon W9-3495X: 8,463.41 Mpix/s
➡️ ≈ 46% improvement
This leap is attributed to architectural efficiency, increased cache, and more cores.
🔸 Competitor Comparison #
- Threadripper Pro 7985WX (Zen 4): 11,661 Mpix/s — slightly behind Intel
- Threadripper 9980X (Zen 5): 18,072 Mpix/s — strong lead in multimedia workloads
Zen 5’s architectural edge continues to shine in heavily parallel multimedia tasks.
📈 CPU Overall Score: Intel Improves, AMD Still Leads #
🔸 CPU Overall Score (SiSoftware) #
- Xeon 696X: 59.22 kPT
- Xeon W9-3495X: 49.30 kPT
➡️ ~20% improvement
🔸 AMD Threadripper Comparison #
- Threadripper Pro 7985WX: 71.82 kPT — still ahead in broad tests
As AMD prepares additional Zen 5 workstation SKUs, competitive pressure remains high for Intel’s workstation strategy.
🧱 Platform Direction: Larger Cache, More Cores, Better Efficiency #
The Granite Rapids-WS platform is shaping up around several themes:
- Higher overall core counts across the lineup
- Dramatically expanded L2 and L3 caches
- Updated Redwood Cove P-Core architecture
- Consistent 350W TDP targeting balanced performance and power
- Designs optimized for multitasking and heavy workstation workloads
Intel’s strategy clearly emphasizes scalability and architectural modernization, aiming to reclaim ground from AMD in high-end workstations.
🗂️ Granite Rapids-WS Lineup: Early Look #
Leaked models include:
- Xeon 698X — up to 86 cores
- Xeon 696X — 64 cores, positioned at the mainstream high end
- Additional SKUs varying in frequency, cache, and cores, all targeting ~350W
With engineering samples now appearing more frequently, broader benchmark coverage is expected soon.
🥊 Outlook: Can Intel Challenge Threadripper? #
Performance uplift alone may not determine the winner in the workstation segment. Granite Rapids-WS success will depend on:
- Competitive pricing
- Strong motherboard and platform ecosystem
- Power efficiency under sustained loads
- Real-world performance across AI, rendering, simulation, and engineering workloads
- How well Intel matches or exceeds AMD’s Zen 5 Threadripper trajectory
Early data shows promise—but the final verdict will come with full reviews.