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Intel's 288-Core Xeon 6+ Slashes Power for AI
3 Mar
Summary
- New 288-core Xeon 6+ processor is built on 18A process technology.
- Testing shows 38% lower runtime rack power compared to previous systems.
- Targets AI workloads in telecom networks and data centers for efficiency.
Intel has introduced its upcoming Clearwater Forest Xeon 6+ processors, engineered for enhanced efficiency in telecom networks and data centers. These processors, built on the 18A process, boast a 288-core design aimed at accelerating AI inference workloads directly within network infrastructure.
Testing conducted by Ericsson reveals substantial improvements, with a single 288-core Xeon 6990E+ Clearwater Forest processor reducing runtime rack power by 38 percent. The new chips also offer over 60 percent better performance per watt and a 30 percent increase in overall performance when compared to existing Sierra Forest systems.
Intel's strategy focuses on integrating AI capabilities onto standard server hardware, enabling workloads like network functions, security, and AI inference to run on Xeon processors. This approach aims to eliminate the need for separate accelerators in many scenarios. The company is expanding its Xeon 6 deployment across radio access networks, mobile core systems, and edge sites, supporting the evolution towards 6G.
Rakuten Mobile and Vodafone are among the companies collaborating with Intel to adopt these new processors for their network modernization projects. Clearwater Forest processors are expected to be available by 2027, marking a significant step in optimizing power consumption and performance for the next generation of network technology.
