Intel is preparing a response to AMD’s dominance in the high-performance workstation market with its forthcoming “Granite Rapids-WS” series of processors. Leaked benchmarks of the Xeon 654, an 18-core chip within the new lineup, are beginning to surface, offering a first look at Intel’s strategy. While early Geekbench scores position the Xeon 654 as competitive, the true performance will hinge on final optimizations and pricing as Intel aims to challenge AMD’s current offerings like the Threadripper 9000 series.
Intel is poised to make a significant move in the workstation market, and as is often the case, details have emerged through a leak. The information centers around the upcoming “Granite Rapids-WS” series, designed for professional users and high-performance workstations. At the heart of the reveal is the Intel Xeon 654, an 18-core processor with 36 threads, reportedly reaching clock speeds of up to 4.80 GHz and featuring a 72 MB L3 cache, according to Geekbench entries.
As AMD has recently unveiled its Threadripper 9000 series chips, Intel is preparing a countermove, at least on paper. The Xeon 654 was tested on a reference platform with 32 GB of DDR5 RAM running Arch Linux. In Geekbench 6.5.0, the chip achieved scores of 2634 in single-core and 14,743 in multi-core tests. These results are solid, but not groundbreaking, especially when compared to the AMD Threadripper 7960X with 24 cores, which demonstrated superior performance in similar benchmarks.
However, it’s important to note that the Xeon 654 is currently an “Engineering Sample” (ES), a pre-production model with unrefined firmware and potentially non-final clock speeds. The actual performance could improve significantly with the release of the final product. Workstations are critical for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific computing, making processor performance a key differentiator.
Technically, the Xeon 654 is based on the Granite Rapids platform, which will offer two classes of CPUs: a mainstream version with four DDR5 channels and 80 PCIe 5.0 lanes, and an expert version with eight memory channels and up to 128 PCIe lanes. The platform is clearly targeted at professionals, including CAD developers, simulation experts, and high-end content creators. Granite Rapids is the direct successor to Sapphire Rapids, but with a significantly revised architecture, improved efficiency, and, crucially, increased scalability.
A leaked list of planned SKUs has also surfaced, revealing a wide range of options. The lineup is topped by a Xeon 698X with a staggering 86 cores and 336 MB of cache – a true powerhouse positioned to compete directly with AMD’s 96-core Threadripper Pro 7995WX. Models with 72, 144, and 192 MB of cache are also planned, with base clocks ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 GHz. Notably, all chips with an “X” designation have the potential for overclocking, which is uncommon in the workstation class but signals a focus on enthusiasts and high-end users.
GNR-WS 🤔
678X : 2.40GHz 192M
676X : 2.80GHz 144M
674X : 3.00GHz 144M
658X : 3.00GHz 144M
656 : 2.90GHz 72M
654 : 3.10GHz 72M
638 : 3.20GHz 72M
636 : 3.50GHz 48M
634 : 2.70GHz 48M— 188号 (@momomo_us) November 15, 2025
The Xeon 654 is listed with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a maximum boost of up to 4.80 GHz, which is quite impressive for an Intel workstation CPU. With 18 physical cores, it offers a solid balance between single-core performance and parallel computing power, ideal for applications like rendering, software compilation, or scientific simulations that benefit from many threads but also require high IPC values.
Intel has not yet disclosed power consumption figures, but based on other Granite Rapids leaks – such as a top model with up to 350W TDP – the Xeon 654 is unlikely to be a power miser. The trade-off between efficiency and performance will once again be central, particularly when competing against AMD, which currently excels in energy management with its Threadripper 9000 series chips.
Pricing information remains undisclosed. While details regarding the launch date are unclear, a release towards the end of Q4 2025 or at CES 2026 is considered likely. One thing is certain: if Intel wants to be competitive with Granite Rapids, it must excel not only in performance and platform features but also with an aggressive pricing strategy. AMD has demonstrated how to attract workstation users with clear product lines, open platforms, and high core counts. You can find more details on the leaked specifications at WccfTech.
In conclusion, the Intel Xeon 654 marks the entry point into the new Granite Rapids generation for workstations, boasting high clock speeds, ample cache, and classic Xeon characteristics. It’s too early for definitive judgments, but the leak indicates that Intel is taking the challenge seriously. Whether that will be enough to compete with AMD in the workstation market remains to be seen, and will depend on final benchmarks and pricing. The direction is promising, however: fewer compromises, greater scalability, and hopefully fewer delays than with Sapphire Rapids.
Source: WccfTech
