Intel Xeon Hyper-Threading Finally Returning, But You'll Have to Wait Two More Years
Intel has publicly unveiled its new generation of Xeon 6+E efficiency cores, codenamed Clearwater Forest, using the Intel 18A process, with up to 288 cores and 12-channel memory, expected to be officially released in the first half of the year. Originally scheduled for the second half of the year, the next-generation P-core Xeon, codenamed Diamond Rapids, has been delayed until 2027 and is expected to be called the Xeon 7 series.
It is worth mentioning that this series originally had two versions, 8-channel and 16-channel memory, but the former has been cancelled, and only 16-channel will be offered, focusing on AI servers.
Previous leaks claimed it would have up to 192 cores, but the latest information suggests 256 cores.
Other aspects include support for PCIe 6.0 channels, second-generation MRDIMM-12800 memory, APX instruction set, with a maximum power consumption of 500W and a new LGA9324 interface, which is incredibly large.
A 512-core version will be added one or two quarters after the release of Diamond Rapids in late 2027 or early 2028!
The next generation of P-core Xeons after that, has been publicly codenamed Coral Rapids for the first time.
Coral Rapids will initially only have an 8-channel version, but the biggest highlight is the return of the long-lost SMT Hyper-Threading technology, although it is unknown what changes there will be compared to the past.
It is preliminarily expected to be released in mid-2028, meaning it will be two full years before we see it, but it may also be released earlier (not easy).
As for consumer-grade Core processors, when they will re-support Hyper-Threading is anyone's guess, but if the P+E+LPE hybrid architecture can be optimized, the significance of Hyper-Threading is not that great.
At least, the AVX-512 instruction set will not simply return, but will be upgraded and evolved into a more advanced technology, such as AVX10.