Hardware leaker YuuKi_AnS has provided a sneak peek of what we could expect from Intel’s next-generation Xeon Emerald Rapids processors. It’s funny because Sapphire Rapids hasn’t landed, but the specifications of its successor are already hitting the rumor mill. Although the leaker claims that the specifications came from a document allegedly distributed to OEMs recently, we recommend you approach the information with an open mind.
Like Sapphire Rapids, Emerald Rapids continue to rely on the Intel 7 (rebranded 10nm Enhanced SuperFin) process node. The forthcoming data center chips will slip into the same Eagle Stream platform with the LGA4677 (Socket E) socket as Sapphire Rapids. Intel hasn’t confirmed which microarchitecture will power Emerald Rapids, though. Sapphire Rapids will come with Golden Cove cores; therefore, Emerald Rapids would probably wield Raptor Cove cores.
While Sapphire Rapids have appeared to top out at 56 cores, Emerald Rapids could push it up to 64 cores to match AMD’s EPYC processors. The problem is that Emerald Rapids will have very tough competition. AMD’s Genoa rocks up to 96 cores, whereas Bergamo, which launches in 2023, will have up to 128 cores. Intel is still behind AMD in terms of core counts.
Emerald Rapids' TDP may vary between 150W and 350W with excellent scalability. The processor support 1S, 2S, 4S, 8S, and higher configurations via xNC support. Four UPI 2.0 links per Emerald Rapids processor at a higher width (x24) offer transfer speeds up to 20 GT/s.
Eight-channel memory remains a feature on Emerald Rapids; however there is improved memory speed support. The processors natively support DDR5-5600 in a 1DPC setup and DDR5-4800 in a 2DPC configuration. The Eagle Stream platform will enable up to 16 DDR5 memory slots per socket. The specification sheet mentions support for 24Gb memory modules. Emerald Rapids also embraces Intel's Crow Pass Persistent Memory (Crystal Ridge 3.0) modules. Although Intel has canned its Optane memory business, Crow Pass will still make it to the market. However, the chipmaker won't develop any future Optane products beyond Crow Pass.
In terms of expansion, Emerald Rapids deliver up to 80 PCIe 5.0 lanes. The platform provides PCIe bifurcation support at x16, x8, x4, and x2 via PCIe 4.0 speeds. The Emmitsburg chipset, on the other hand, supplies 20 PCIe 3.0 lanes, 1G Ethernet for Manageability support, and an x8 DMI connection restricted to the PCIe 3.0 standard. AMD hasn't share the number of PCIe 5.0 lanes for Genoa or Bergamo. For contrast, AMD EPYC chips have been offering 128 PCIe lanes for a couple of generations now.
Unlike Sapphire Rapids, Intel is confident that Emerald Rapids will meet its 2023 deadline.
