Blog

Feb 25, 2025

Intel Xeon 6 SoC is Here Granite Rapids-D is HUGE - ServeTheHome

In 2015, we first reviewed Broadwell-DE, then with up to 8 cores, a low TDP and built-in networking. Now, the new Intel Xeon 6 SoC, codenamed Granite Rapids-D is expected to hit 72 cores later in

In 2015, we first reviewed Broadwell-DE, then with up to 8 cores, a low TDP and built-in networking. Now, the new Intel Xeon 6 SoC, codenamed Granite Rapids-D is expected to hit 72 cores later in 2025, with the initial batch up to 42 cores this quarter/ half. What is more, these have up to 200Gbps of networking and extra built-in acceleration.

When I saw this slide, I got excited. Up to 72 cores! Intel is putting a lot of effort behind the Intel Xeon 6 SoC.

Here is the initial SKU list. Unfortunately, the starting price is now $934 and that only gets you 100Gbps of networking. In the Broadwell-DE days, the line was awesome because it could be used for low-end virtualization servers. Now the pricing is such that it is really focused on embedded markets.

The new line has vRAN Boost in some of the SKUs. Most have 100G or 200G of Ethernet onboard, but the Xeon 6533P-B does not. We get QAT support across the SKUs at this point.

Intel also has its AMX since this is a P-core design. That means Intel has a decent amount of AI acceleration built-in with AMX. If you think about the embedded market, that is a great one for built-in acceleration.

Some SKUs also have the media transcode accelerator for video.

We do not have information on the higher core count SKUs.

Intel has a really cool line with the Xeon D series. It is a market that AMD has struggled to keep pace with. AMD has the EPYC 8004 Siena, but that lacks the full embedded options and the built-in networking. This might be one of the new Intel offerings that I am most excited about today.

I was told that the lower-core count parts in the list above up to 42 cores are due by the end of next month. The higher core count parts are due Q4 2025.