Intel's $17,800 Behemoth: 128-Core Xeon 6980P Challenges AMD at Double the Price

In a move that’s turning heads across the tech industry, Intel has finally unveiled the pricing for its highly anticipated Xeon 6900P “Granite Rapids” CPU family. The standout? A whopping $17,800 price tag for the top-tier Xeon 6980P model.

Yes, you read that right – nearly eighteen grand for a single processor. But before you fall off your chair, let’s dive into what’s really going on in the world of high-performance computing.

The Beast Unleashed: Xeon 6980P Specs

First things first, what are you getting for the price of a decent used car? The Xeon 6980P is an absolute monster of a chip:

128 high-performance cores
256 threads for extreme multitasking
2.0 GHz base clock speed (with the potential for higher boost clocks)
A massive 504MB of L3 cache

To put this into perspective, this single CPU has more computing power than entire server rooms from just a few years ago. It’s designed for data centers, AI research, and other heavy-duty computing tasks that would make your average PC weep.

The Price Tag Shocker

When rumors first started swirling about the 6980P’s price, tech analysts at The Next Platform estimated it would hit the market at around $24,980. So, in a twisted way, $17,800 almost seems like a bargain. Almost.

But here’s where things get interesting. AMD, Intel’s long-time rival, has its own 128-core behemoth: the EPYC 9754 “Bergamo” processor. And guess what? It’s listed at $11,900. That’s a $5,900 difference – enough to build a high-end gaming PC with the change.

The Lineup: It’s Not Just About the Flagship

Intel’s not putting all its eggs in one very expensive basket. Here’s a quick rundown of the 6900-series lineup:

Xeon 6980P (128 cores): $17,800 ($139 per core)
Xeon 6979P (120 cores): $15,750 ($131 per core)
Xeon 6972P (96 cores): $14,600 ($152 per core)
Xeon 6960P (72 cores): $13,750 ($191 per core)
Xeon 6952P (96 cores): $11,400 ($119 per core)

Interestingly, that last one – the 6952P – is the only Granite Rapids CPU that’s currently cheaper than its AMD counterpart. It’s like finding a designer item on sale at a luxury store.

The Bigger Picture: What’s Intel’s Game?

Now, you might be wondering: has Intel lost its marbles? Not quite. This pricing strategy signals a few key things:

Confidence in Performance: Intel must believe its chips outperform AMD’s offerings significantly to justify the premium.

Targeting High-Value Sectors: These processors are aimed at industries where performance trumps cost – think financial modeling, scientific research, and AI development.

Brand Positioning: Intel seems to be positioning itself as the “premium” option in the server CPU market.

Production Costs: The high prices might reflect the cutting-edge (and expensive) manufacturing processes needed for these advanced chips.

The Market Reaction

The tech community’s reaction has been mixed, to say the least. While some praise the raw power of these new Xeons, others are balking at the price difference compared to AMD’s offerings. It’s worth noting that in the real world, large companies often negotiate bulk deals, so the sticker price isn’t always what big customers end up paying.

Looking Ahead: The CPU Wars Continue

This move by Intel is just the latest salvo in the ongoing battle for data center dominance. AMD has been gaining ground in recent years with its EPYC line, forcing Intel to up its game. As AI, cloud computing, and big data continue to grow, the demand for these powerhouse processors is only going to increase.

For now, Intel seems to be betting that performance and brand loyalty will justify its premium pricing. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off or if AMD’s more wallet-friendly approach will chip away at Intel’s market share.

One thing’s for sure: the world of high-performance computing never stays still for long. Who knows what kind of silicon beasts we’ll see in the next round of this tech titans’ showdown?

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Eric Sandler

Chief Writer at WiFi Planet

Eric Sandler is a veteran US tech writer with over 25 years of experience covering the latest advancements in the world of technology. From groundbreaking innovations to in-depth reviews, Eric has built a reputation for delivering insightful, reliable content. His work spans across a variety of tech topics, including smartphones, gadgets, AI, and more, making him a trusted voice in the industry.