Intel Diamond Rapids Xeon 7 targets 256 cores to rival AMD EPYC

Intel is reportedly developing its next-generation Diamond Rapids Xeon 7 server platform to compete directly with AMD’s EPYC Venice series. While initial plans for the platform included high-density E-core variants with up to 512 cores, those plans have reportedly been scaled back.

Instead, Intel is focusing on P-core density. Reports suggest a flagship SKU could feature up to 256 P-cores, a move designed to match the core count of AMD’s 6th Gen EPYC Venice processors. This shift may have been influenced by hyperscaler feedback regarding the lack of SMT/Hyper-Threading in previous high-core-count designs.

The Diamond Rapids platform is expected to launch in 2027 using the Intel 18A-P process. Key anticipated specifications include the Panther Cove-X architecture and support for PCIe 6.0. However, Intel faces a significant timeline challenge, as AMD is already utilizing 2nm processes for its current production, leaving the company with much to prove regarding performance and efficiency by the time Diamond Rapids arrives.