Intel's forthcoming Diamond Rapids server processors will accommodate thermal envelopes reaching 650 watts on the Johnson City reference platform, according to shipment database entries discovered by hardware trackers. The validation hardware listings revealed configurations supporting both 500-watt and 650-watt power consumption levels for the upcoming Xeon family.
Diamond Rapids chips are anticipated to deliver up to 192 cores using Panther Cove architecture on the 18A manufacturing process, though unconfirmed reports suggest counts may extend to 256 cores. The processors will require the massive LGA 9324 socket and exclusively support 16-channel memory configurations, eliminating mainstream eight-channel options. Intel has abandoned simultaneous multithreading for this generation but plans to restore the capability in subsequent Coral Rapids releases.
The server platform is expected to arrive during the second half of 2026 to challenge AMD's Venice EPYC processors. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan previously confirmed multithreading technology would return to future Xeon generations.
Diamond Rapids chips are anticipated to deliver up to 192 cores using Panther Cove architecture on the 18A manufacturing process, though unconfirmed reports suggest counts may extend to 256 cores. The processors will require the massive LGA 9324 socket and exclusively support 16-channel memory configurations, eliminating mainstream eight-channel options. Intel has abandoned simultaneous multithreading for this generation but plans to restore the capability in subsequent Coral Rapids releases.
The server platform is expected to arrive during the second half of 2026 to challenge AMD's Venice EPYC processors. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan previously confirmed multithreading technology would return to future Xeon generations.
