Intel’s Granite Rapids-WS Workstation Lineup Leaks Ahead of CES 2026
A major leak has revealed Intel’s full Xeon 6 Granite Rapids-WS workstation CPU lineup just weeks before its expected debut at CES 2026, outlining 11 SKUs that are clearly aimed at AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Pro family. Early retail listings suggest an aggressive pricing strategy, with an 86-core flagship around $8,300 and entry-level models starting near $540.
The information, surfaced via retailer databases and first spotted by leaker @momomo_us, paints a detailed—though still unofficial—picture of Intel’s next-generation high-end desktop and workstation strategy.
Disclaimer: All specifications and prices discussed here are based on leaked retailer listings and should be treated as preliminary until Intel makes an official announcement.
Lineup Overview: 11 Granite Rapids-WS SKUs
The leaked data points to 11 Granite Rapids-WS models, ranging from relatively modest core-count parts to a flagship that pushes well into extreme workstation territory.
Key leaked SKUs and pricing
According to the listings, the lineup currently looks like this (all data unconfirmed):
- Xeon 698X – 86 cores / 172 threads, 336 MB L3, 2.0 GHz base, 350 W, $8,294.91
- Xeon 696X – 64 cores / 128 threads, 336 MB L3, 2.4 / 4.6 GHz, 350 W, $6,071.38
- Xeon 678X – cores unknown, 192 MB L3, 2.4 GHz base, 350 W, $4,065.84
- Xeon 676X – cores unknown, 144 MB L3, 2.8 GHz base, 350 W, $2,709.81
- Xeon 674X – cores unknown, 144 MB L3, 3.0 GHz base, 350 W, $2,384.49
- Xeon 658X – cores unknown, 144 MB L3, 3.0 GHz base, 350 W, $1,842.30
- Xeon 656 – cores unknown, 72 MB L3, 2.9 GHz base, 350 W, $1,516.99
- Xeon 654 – 18 cores / 36 threads, 72 MB L3, 3.1 / 4.77 GHz, 350 W, $1,300.11
- Xeon 638 – cores unknown, 72 MB L3, 3.2 GHz base, 350 W, $974.80
- Xeon 636 – cores unknown, 48 MB L3, 3.5 GHz base, 350 W, $692.86
- Xeon 634 – cores unknown, 48 MB L3, 2.7 GHz base, 350 W, $541.04
The Xeon 634, at just over $540, serves as the apparent entry point into the new platform, while the Xeon 698X tops the range.
Flagship Focus: Xeon 698X vs Threadripper Pro 9995WX
86 cores vs 96 cores
The standout part in the leak is the Xeon 698X, reportedly featuring:
- 86 cores / 172 threads
- 336 MB L3 cache
- 2.0 GHz base clock (boost frequency not listed)
- 350 W TDP
- Leaked price: $8,294.91
If accurate, this would place Intel just short of core parity with AMD’s Threadripper Pro 9995WX, which offers 96 cores / 192 threads and is currently priced around $11,699. Even AMD’s previous-generation Threadripper Pro 7995WX (also 96 cores) has a list price near $10,000.
On paper, that means Intel is positioning the 698X as a slightly lower-core, lower-price alternative to AMD’s flagship. The trade-off could be offset by architectural gains from Granite Rapids, higher per-core performance, or platform advantages—but those details remain speculative until independent benchmarks arrive.
Value positioning at the ultra-high end
At roughly $8.3K, the 698X undercuts AMD’s top workstation chips by $2,700–$3,400. For studios and engineering houses that scale workloads across multiple nodes, a per-socket savings of that magnitude could be meaningful, provided performance-per-dollar lands close to Threadripper Pro’s level.
However, the 2.0 GHz base clock is notably conservative. This suggests Intel is prioritizing density and sustained multi-core throughput over aggressive base frequencies, leaning on boost clocks for bursty workloads.
Midrange Highlight: Xeon 654 as a Practical Workhorse
While the 86-core flagship draws attention, the Xeon 654 may be more relevant to mainstream workstation buyers.
Xeon 654 specs
Based on the leak and a prior Geekbench appearance, the 654 is described as:
- 18 cores / 36 threads
- 72 MB L3 cache
- 3.1 GHz base clock
- Up to 4.77 GHz boost clock (per earlier benchmark data)
- 350 W TDP
- Leaked price: $1,300.11
This places it squarely against AMD’s Threadripper Pro 9955WX, a 16-core / 32-thread part with 64 MB L3 cache and a list price around $1,649.
Competitive midrange pricing
On a pure spec sheet comparison, Intel appears to offer:
- +2 cores and +4 threads vs 9955WX
- Slightly larger L3 cache (72 MB vs 64 MB)
- A lower price (~$1,300 vs $1,649)
Both platforms are listed at 350 W TDP, suggesting similarly demanding cooling and power requirements. For content creators, CAD professionals, and software developers who need strong multi-core performance without going into five-figure CPU territory, the 654 could be a particularly compelling option if real-world performance aligns with these specs.
Entry-Level to Upper Midrange: 634 to 676X
The rest of the Granite Rapids-WS stack fills in a wide gradient of price and capability, though core counts for several models are still unknown in the leak.
Budget and lower-midrange options
- Xeon 634 – The apparent entry SKU at $541.04, with 48 MB L3 and a 2.7 GHz base. Core count isn’t listed, but analysts speculate it may resemble a 6-core part similar to the server-oriented Xeon 6349P.
- Xeon 636 – Priced at $692.86, with 48 MB L3 and a significantly higher 3.5 GHz base clock. This could target lightly threaded workstation tasks where frequency matters more than core count.
- Xeon 638 – At $974.80, this SKU offers 72 MB L3 and a 3.2 GHz base, likely stepping up both cache and cores relative to the 636.
These chips could appeal to entry-level workstations, CAD stations, and small studios that prioritize a modern platform and reliability over maximum core counts.
Upper-midrange and high-core alternatives
Above the 654 sit several SKUs with larger caches and higher prices:
- Xeon 656 – 72 MB L3, 2.9 GHz base, $1,516.99
- Xeon 658X – 144 MB L3, 3.0 GHz base, $1,842.30
- Xeon 674X – 144 MB L3, 3.0 GHz base, $2,384.49
- Xeon 676X – 144 MB L3, 2.8 GHz base, $2,709.81
- Xeon 678X – 192 MB L3, 2.4 GHz base, $4,065.84
While the core counts are not yet confirmed, the increasing cache sizes and pricing tiers suggest a progression towards higher core-density parts tuned for heavily parallel workloads such as simulation, rendering, and data analytics.
Platform Details: W890 and E2 Socket
All leaked Granite Rapids-WS SKUs are said to target the W890 platform, built around Intel’s new E2 socket.
E2 socket characteristics
- LGA-4710 design (4,710 pins)
- Supports up to 350 W TDP across the Granite Rapids-WS range
- Designed for high-core-count, high-bandwidth workstation and server-class CPUs
The large pin count and power envelope align with Intel’s broader push into high-bandwidth, I/O-rich platforms across data center and workstation segments, mirroring what AMD has done with its sTRX5 socket for Threadripper Pro.
Alignment with Intel’s wider Xeon 6 strategy
Granite Rapids-WS is an offshoot of Intel’s Xeon 6 strategy, which includes both standard server parts and workstation variants. The workstation line aims to bring server-class performance and features—including large cache pools and high memory bandwidth—into single-socket and dual-socket workstations for:
- VFX and 3D rendering
- Scientific computing and simulation
- EDA and CAD/CAE workloads
- High-end software development and CI build farms
This workstation push sits alongside Intel’s broader efforts to modernize infrastructure silicon, such as the move to new Xeon platforms that, as highlighted in Intel’s own messaging around New Intel Processors Accelerate 5G Network Transformation, are designed to handle increasingly heterogeneous and bandwidth-heavy workloads.
Tech Specs: Granite Rapids-WS at a Glance
While full official specifications are still pending, the leaked data allows for a preliminary technical snapshot.
Processors (unconfirmed)
- Architecture: Intel Xeon 6 “Granite Rapids-WS” (workstation variant of Granite Rapids)
- Core counts:
- High-end: up to 86 cores / 172 threads (Xeon 698X)
- Midrange: 18 cores / 36 threads (Xeon 654)
- Low-end: likely 6–12 cores (speculative, based on related server SKUs)
- Cache:
- Up to 336 MB L3 (698X and 696X)
- Midrange SKUs with 72 MB L3
- Entry SKUs with 48 MB L3
- Clock speeds:
- Base clocks from 2.0 GHz (698X) to 3.5 GHz (636)
- Boost clocks up to 4.77 GHz (654, per prior benchmark leak)
- TDP:
- 350 W across the Granite Rapids-WS lineup
Platform
- Socket: Intel E2, LGA-4710
- Chipset/platform: W890 workstation platform
- Power delivery: Designed for sustained 350 W CPUs, implying robust VRM and cooling requirements
Positioning vs AMD Threadripper Pro
- AMD’s top SKU: Threadripper Pro 9995WX – 96C/192T, ~$11,699
- Intel’s leaked top SKU: Xeon 698X – 86C/172T, ~$8,295
- Midrange AMD: Threadripper Pro 9955WX – 16C/32T, ~$1,649
- Midrange Intel: Xeon 654 – 18C/36T, ~$1,300
Intel appears to be accepting a core-count deficit at the very top in exchange for more aggressive pricing and potentially higher per-core performance, depending on how Granite Rapids compares architecturally to AMD’s Zen 4-based Threadripper Pro.
Market Impact: Another Round Without Core Parity
If the 86-core figure for the 698X is confirmed, Granite Rapids-WS would mark another generation where Intel trails AMD in raw core counts in the HEDT and workstation space. AMD’s 96-core Threadripper Pro parts would retain the marketing edge for maximum parallelism.
However, Intel’s strategy appears to be:
- Undercut AMD on price at the high end
- Match or slightly exceed core counts in the midrange (e.g., 18C vs 16C)
- Leverage new platform features and Xeon 6 architectural improvements
For many professional workflows—especially those that do not scale perfectly to 96 cores—the combination of slightly fewer cores but lower price may be compelling. The real test will come from:
- Independent benchmarks in 3D rendering engines (Blender, V-Ray, Arnold)
- Compilation and CI workloads
- Scientific and engineering codes that scale across many cores
What to Watch for at CES 2026
Intel is widely expected to formally unveil Granite Rapids-WS at CES 2026, where final specifications, platform details, and availability timelines should be clarified.
Key questions that remain unanswered include:
- Official core counts for SKUs without confirmed numbers
- Boost clock behavior under sustained all-core loads at 350 W
- Memory support (channels, speeds, and capacities) and PCIe lane counts
- How Granite Rapids-WS performs against AMD Threadripper Pro in independent benchmarks
- Platform pricing (motherboards, memory configurations) and overall total cost of ownership
Until then, the leaked retailer listings provide a strong hint that Intel is preparing a serious challenge to AMD’s long-standing dominance in the high-end workstation CPU market, even if it still falls short in absolute core count at the very top.
For studios, engineers, and power users planning 2026 workstation upgrades, Granite Rapids-WS is shaping up to be one of the most important launches to watch in the coming year.
Source: Read Original Article
Leave a Reply