- The Intel W890 platform supports two-tier configurations that provide the flexibility of professional workstations.
- Expert-class systems provide 112 PCIe lanes for high-performance GPUs and storage systems.
- Granite Rapids-WS processors will have up to 86 cores and 172 threads.
Recent leaks stated IntelFuture Granite Rapids-WS HEDT processors will be built on the W890 workstation platform, promising significant improvements for professional computing.
The platform features a Socket E2 design with 4710 LGA pins, supporting processors with a thermal design power of up to 350 W.
It supports both standard DDR5 DIMMs and registered DDR5 modules in quad-channel configurations that reach speeds of 5200 MT/s.
PCIe lanes and connectivity for demanding workloads
In total, systems can address up to 2 terabytes of memory per processor socket, which is a significant improvement over previous versions. workstation platforms.
The W890 platform supports two levels: expert class and basic. Expert-grade systems offer 112 PCIe lanes, with 96 PCIe 5.0 lanes and 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, while mainstream options provide 80 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
This configuration allows workstations to use multiple GPUs, drives, and expansion cards without bottlenecks.
Connectivity includes USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 ports, multiple SATA III interfaces, two SlimSAS connectors providing PCIe 4.0 x4 bandwidth, and a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet controller.
Power delivery uses a standard 24-pin ATX connector and supports up to four additional 8-pin CPU connectors, and server-grade control is provided by the ASPEED AST2600 BMC and Nuvoton System Supervisor.
Leaked specs suggest the W890 platform is Intel's answer to AMDThreadripper ecosystem on premium HEDT workstations.
The top-tier Granite Rapids-WS processor is reported to have 86 cores, 172 threads, 336MB of L3 cache, and a single-core boost clock approaching 4.8GHz.
Enhancements to the memory subsystem and flexible PCIe topology are expected to benefit rendering, simulation, and data analytics applications.
While AMD supports higher maximum core and cache counts, Intel's design prioritizes memory speed and bandwidth for professional workloads.
Mobile workstations And mini pc systems are unlikely to be able to take full advantage of the W890 platform due to thermal and space limitations.
However, standard desktop workstations can take advantage of expanded memory, PCIe lanes, and connectivity to support high-performance computing workloads.
These leaks provide the first glimpse into Intel's approach to keeping HEDT workstations competitive.
Final adoption and performance will depend on production processors and official motherboard designs that will be revealed at CES 2026.
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