Intel unveils Xeon 6 processors for AI & networking

Intel has announced its new Xeon 6 processors, designed to enhance performance across data centres and network applications.

The newly launched Intel Xeon 6 processors come equipped with Performance-cores (P-cores) and cater to a wide range of workloads. Intel claims the processors deliver twice the performance in AI processing as compared to previous iterations, thus positioning itself as a leader in the industry.

Michelle Johnston Holthaus, interim co-CEO of Intel and CEO of Intel Products, commented on the new release: "We are intensely focused on bringing cutting-edge leadership products to market that solve our customers' greatest challenges and help drive the growth of their business. The Xeon 6 family delivers the industry's best CPU for AI and groundbreaking features for networking, while simultaneously driving efficiency and bringing down the total cost of ownership."

The Intel Xeon 6700/6500 series processors are specifically targeted at modern data centres, aiming to bridge performance and energy efficiency. The processors boast an average performance increase of 1.4x over previous generations in various enterprise tasks. For AI systems, the Xeon 6 is enhanced for use with a GPU host node, offering a 1.5x performance advantage in AI inference while using fewer cores than competing processors. These new processors deliver efficient performance-per-watt and enable a significant consolidation of older servers which may result in notable cost savings.

The network and edge variant of the Xeon 6 processors is a system-on-chip (SoC) product that features improved power efficiency together with Intel's embedded accelerators for virtual radio access networks (vRAN), media, artificial intelligence, and network security. The Xeon 6 SoCs reportedly offer a performance increase, delivering up to 2.4x the capacity of earlier models, and feature the Intel Media Transcode Accelerator for enhanced media processing.

As artificial intelligence continues to expand, Intel notes that spending on generative AI is projected to reach up to USD $153 billion by 2027, with broader investments in machine learning and analytics projected to surpass USD $361 billion. The Xeon 6 processor is positioned to capture this growth in AI technologies, serving as a primary CPU for applications requiring traditional, smaller generative AI models, and GPU-accelerated processes.

The shift towards network optimisations in telecommunications is also addressed with Intel's unified Xeon platform, which could help operators manage changing customer demands by offering adaptive and scalable networks. This involves leveraging 5G and artificial intelligence to improve network efficiency and adaptability.

Key advancements of the Xeon 6 SoC include faster Webroot CSI upload model inference and enhanced performance for AI RAN operations. Additionally, the deployment of these processors supports int8 inferencing for multiple camera streams on edge devices, highlighting its capabilities in video processing.

Intel also introduced two new lines of Ethernet controllers and adapters tailored to address increasing demands across various sectors, including telecommunications and high-performance computing. The Intel Ethernet E830 and E610 lines provide advanced connectivity and security features to support modern network infrastructures.

The combination of Intel Xeon 6 processors and the new Ethernet products aims to provide a robust platform for enterprises seeking to enhance their operations and innovation capabilities.

Wider adoption of Intel's Xeon 6 processors is evident, with more than 500 designs already announced or in development. Notable technology leaders, such as Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Microsoft, among others, are set to deliver server systems and software solutions incorporating Xeon 6 processors worldwide.