Sierra Forest

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Not to be confused with Sierra National Forest.

Sierra Forest
LaunchedJune 4, 2024 (2024-06-04)
Designed byIntel
Manufactured by
Fabrication process
Codename(s)
  • SRF
Platform(s)
  • Server

Branding
Brand name(s)Xeon
GenerationXeon 6
Socket(s)

Instructions & Architecture
Instructions setx86
Instructionsx86-64
Extensions
E-core architectureCrestmont

Cores
Peak core clockUp to 3.2 GHz
E-core L1 cache96 KB (per core):
  • 64 KB instructions
  • 32 KB data
E-core L2 cache4 MB (per cluster)
E-core L3 cache3 MB (per cluster)

Memory Support
TypeDDR5
Memory channels8 channels
Maximum capacityUp to 1 TB

I/O
PCIe supportPCIe 5.0
PCIe lanes88 PCIe 5.0 lanes -->
CXL supportCXL 2.0
DMI versionDMI 4.0

History
VariantGranite Rapids (P-core)
SuccessorClearwater Forest

Sierra Forest is the codename for 6th generation Xeon Scalable server processors designed by Intel, launched in June 2024. It is the first generation of Xeon processors to exclusively feature density-optimized E-cores. Sierra Forest processors are targeted towards cloud server customers with up to 288 Crestmont E-cores.

Background[edit]

On February 17, 2022, Intel announced that upcoming Xeon generations would be split into two tracks for those with P-cores exclusively and E-cores exclusively.[1] These two tracks are intended to serve different market segments with P-core Xeon processors targeting high performance computing while E-core Xeon processors target cloud customers who prioritize greater core density, energy efficiency and performance in heavily multi-threaded workloads over strong single-threaded usage.[2]

On March 29, 2023, Intel announced that Sierra Forest processors had powered on and displayed a processor running 144 E-cores, and announced a release timeline for H1 2024.[3] On September 19, 2023, Intel announced at their Innovation event that a 288-core variant of Sierra Forest would be coming.[4]

Branding[edit]

During Intel's Vision event in April 2024, new branding for Xeon processors was unveiled.[5] The Xeon Scalable branding that was introduced in 2017 would be retired in favor of a simplified "Xeon 6" brand for 6th generation Xeon processors.[6] This change brings greater emphasis on processor generation numbers.[7] The badge for the Xeon brand was changed to be more visually in line with the badge design used for Intel's Core Ultra processors since 2023.

Intel Xeon branding
Xeon Scalable (2020-2023)
Xeon 6 (2024)

Architecture[edit]

Sierra Forest will use only E-cores to achieve higher core counts in order to compete with AMD's Epyc server processors codenamed Bergamo which features up to 128 smaller Zen 4c cores.[8] AMD's Zen 4c cores feature simultaneous multithreading (SMT) while the Crestmont E-cores featured in Sierra Forest processors can only support one thread for each core. The purpose of the Sierra Forest architecture design is to achieve ultra-high core counts for greater compute density that would benefit cloud and HPC server applications.[9] Cloud service providers may not be as interested in HPC accelerators and instead prioritize greater ECU/vCPU integer and floating-point performance.[10] Don Soltis is the principal engineer and chief architect for Xeon E-Core.[11]

Products[edit]

Sierra Forest-SP[edit]

Seirra Forest-SP (Scalable Performance) uses the Beechnut City platform with the smaller LGA 4710 socket, targeted towards mainstream server. Sierra Forest-SP features up to 144 E-cores and 8-channel DDR5 memory support. TDPs up to 350W are supported on Beechnut City platform.

SKU Cores
(threads) 		Tiles Core
config[a] 		Clock rate (GHz) Cache Socket Socket
Count 		PCIe
lanes 		Memory
support 		TDP Release date Price
(USD)[b]
Base Turbo L1 L2 L3
6710E 64 (64) 1 × Compute
2 × I/O 		1 × 64 2.4 3.2 6 MB 64 MB 96 MB LGA 4710 2S 88
PCIe 5.0 		DDR5-5600
eight-channel 		205 W Jun 4, 2024 $4,121
6731E 96 (96) 1 × 96 2.2 3.1 9 MB 96 MB 1S 250 W $4,121
6740E 2.4 3.2 9 MB 96 MB 2S DDR5-6400
eight-channel 		250 W $5,265
6746E 112 (112) 1 × 112 2.0 2.7 10.5 MB 112 MB DDR5-5600
eight-channel 		250 W $5,929
6756E 128 (128) 1 × 128 1.8 2.6 12 MB 128 MB DDR5-6400
eight-channel 		225 W $8,428
6766E 144 (144) 1 × 144 1.9 2.7 13.5 MB 144 MB 108 MB 250 W $10,257
6780E 1 × 144 2.2 3.0 330 W $11,350
  1. ^ Number of compute tiles × cores per compute tile
  2. ^ Price is Recommended Customer Price (RCP) at launch. RCP is the trade price that processors are sold by Intel to retailers and OEMs. Actual MSRP for consumers is higher.

Sierra Forest-AP[edit]

Sierra Forest-AP uses the Avenue City platform with the larger LGA 7529 socket for higher core count SKUs up to 288. It supports a higher number PCIe lanes and 12-channel DDR5 memory.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Intel Reveals Bold Multiyear Xeon Roadmap to Accelerate Data Center Leadership and Growth". Intel Newsroom (Press release). San Francisco, CA. February 17, 2022.
  2. ^ Cutress, Ian (February 17, 2022). "Intel Discloses Multi-Generation Xeon Scalable Roadmap: New E-Core Only Xeons in 2024". AnandTech.
  3. ^ Kennedy, Patrick (March 29, 2023). "Intel DCAI 2023 Update New Technology and Updated Xeon Roadmap". ServeTheHome. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  4. ^ Kennedy, Patrick (September 19, 2023). "Intel Announces 288 E-Core Sierra Forest Variant at Innovation 2023". ServeTheHome. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Alcorn, Paul (April 9, 2024). "Intel unveils new Xeon 6 branding for Granite Rapids and Sierra Forest processors — efficiency core models launch this quarter; performance-core models come soon after". Tom's Hardware.
  6. ^ Chiapetta, Marco (April 9, 2024). "Intel Unveils Powerful, Efficient Gaudi 3 AI Accelerator And New Xeon 6 Processors At Vision 2024". Forbes.
  7. ^ Bonshor, Gavin (April 9, 2024). "Intel Unveils New Branding For 6th Generation Xeon Processors: Intel Xeon 6". AnandTech.
  8. ^ Larabel, Michael (October 14, 2022). "Intel Sends Out Meteor Lake & Sierra Forest Patches For The GCC Compiler". Phoronix. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  9. ^ Mujtaba, Hassan (January 21, 2023). "Intel Xeon CPU Rumors: Sierra Forest In 2024 Aiming For 334+ Cores, Granite Rapids-SP Up To 132, Granite Rapids-WS Up To 86 Cores". Wccftech. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Kennedy, Patrick (February 17, 2022). "Intel Sierra Forest the E-Core Xeon Intel Needs". ServeTheHome. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  11. ^ "Tackling Throughput Computing with Sierra Forest". Intel Corporation.


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