Xeon W9-3495X (unlocked) Hits Geekbench, potentially is a Threadripper 7000WX Rival

As the launch date of February 15 for Intel's Xeon W-2400 and Xeon W-3400-series processors for high-end desktops (HEDTs) and extreme workstations approaches, benchmark results have begun to leak. 

The flagship Xeon W3495X CPU is the star of the show, packing 56 high-performance Golden Cove cores and a massive 105MB L3 cache. It runs at a default clock of 1.90 GHz and can accelerate to 4.80 GHz when possible, offering users a high level of performance. The sample listed in the Geekbench 5 database ran at around 3.20 GHz, which is lower than expected, but it is important to note that the results should not be taken as definitive as the CPU allegedly also used a quad-channel memory subsystem.

The platform-wise, Intel's new W790 provides PCIe Gen5 (by CPU), 16 PCle 4.0 lanes, up to 12 PCle 3.0 lanes, up eight SATA ports, up to five USB 3.2 Gen2x2 connections, up to 10 USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, Wi-Fi 6E capabilities, and supports two 2.5GbE PHY controllers. This is a significant improvement over previous models and offers users a range of features that are essential for high-performance computing.

The new processors also offer all the reliability, availability, and serviceability capabilities of modern Intel Xeon processors, such as virtual RAID on CPU (VROC), and remote management. However, some users may be disappointed that the processors do not include Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7, which are features that would be beneficial for HEDTs and workstations. It is expected that workstation makers will install the appropriate controllers themselves to compensate for this.

Intel's return to the HEDT and extreme workstation markets is an exciting development for the tech industry. The new Xeon W-2400 and Xeon W-3400-series processors offer users high-performance computing capabilities and a range of features that are essential for high-performance computing. The release of these processors also offers AMD's Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5000WX-series CPUs a strong contender for the first time in years, giving users more options when it comes to choosing a processor for their high-performance computing needs.