Intel's server processor lineup led by the 4th Gen Xeon Scalable "Sapphire Rapids" processors face stiff competition from AMD 4th Gen EPYC "Genoa" processors that offer significantly higher multi-threaded performance per Watt on account of a higher CPU core-count. The gap is only set to widen, as AMD prepares to launch the "Bergamo" processor for cloud data-centers, with core-counts of up to 128-core/256-thread per socket. A technologically-embattled Intel is preparing quick counters as many as three new server microarchitecture launches over the next 23 months, according to Intel, in its Q4-2022 Financial Results presentation.

The 4th Gen Xeon Scalable "Sapphire Rapids," with a core-count of up to 60-core/120-thread, and various application-specific accelerators, witnessed a quiet launch earlier this month, and is shipping to Intel customers. The company says that it will be joined by the Xeon Scalable "Emerald Rapids" architecture in the second half of 2023; followed by "Granite Rapids" and "Sierra Forest" in 2024. Built on the same LGA4677 package as "Sapphire Rapids," the new "Emerald Rapids" MCM packs up to 64 "Raptor Cove" CPU cores, which support higher clock-speeds, higher memory speeds, and introduce the new Intel Trust Domain Extensions (TDX) instruction-set. The processor retains the 8-channel DDR5 memory interface, but with higher native memory speeds. The chip's main serial interface is a PCI-Express Gen 5 root-complex with 80 lanes. The processor will be built on the last foundry-level refinement of the Intel 7 node (10 nm Enhanced SuperFin); many of these refinements were introduced with the company's 13th Gen Core "Raptor Lake" client processors.2024 will see the introduction of the Xeon Scalable "Granite Rapids" microarchitecture, and the company debuting the new Intel 3 foundry node (comparable performance/Watt characteristics to TSMC 4 nm EUV). Intel is looking to double the CPU core-count per package, with up to 120 "Redwood Cove" P-cores per package. These are the same ones that serve as P-cores in the upcoming "Meteor Lake" client processors. Intel is also expected to introduce a larger processor package, which could mean more DDR5 memory channels, native support for higher memory speeds such as DDR5-6400, and an increased PCIe lane count. The PCIe Generation is unconfirmed, but it wouldn't surprise us if Intel is debuting PCI-Express Gen 6 (the specification was finalized in January 2022, giving Intel plenty of time to implement it by 2024).

"Sierra Forest" is a unique new processor designed for high-density data-centers, low-cost web-hosting, and a multitude of other cloud applications. This processor is made almost entirely of E-cores (efficiency cores). The chip is rumored to be built on the same Intel 3 node as the "Granite Rapids" processor, but will probably feature a slightly beefed up version of the "Crestmont" E-core (with enterprise-relevant ISA). Intel's E-cores are extremely efficient in terms of the performance they offer for the die-area. At comparable die-areas to "Granite Rapids," a "Sierra Forest" processor could offer 3-4 times as many CPU cores. The possibilities are endless. Intel seems to be designing these processors to go after AMD's "Bergamo" processor, and its succeeding architecture.Image Courtesy: VideoCardz