Intel advances Xeon 6+ server chips and 14A manufacturing progress

Intel is advancing its server processor lineup with the Xeon 6+ (Clearwater Forest) generation, utilizing the 18A manufacturing process. These processors focus on increasing computing density and energy efficiency for data centers. The architecture employs a chiplet design, allowing for high core counts; top configurations like the Xeon 6990E+ offer up to 288 efficient cores and 288 threads, featuring 576 MB of cache and a 450 W TDP.

Regarding manufacturing advancements, Intel CFO David Zinsner reported at the Deutsche Bank 2026 Technology Conference that defect density improvements for the upcoming 14A process are progressing at the fastest rate in 15 years, a pace not seen since the 22nm era. While the 18A process has been utilized for products like Panther Lake, Intel is also developing the 18A-P variant, which is expected to be better optimized for higher clock speeds and is slated for use in Diamond Rapids server processors around mid-2027.