- Intel W890 platform supports dual-tier configurations for professional workstation flexibility
- Expert-class systems provide 112 PCIe lanes for high-performance GPU and storage configurations
- Granite Rapids-WS processors will feature up to 86 cores and 172 threads
Recent leaks have claimed that Intel’s upcoming Granite Rapids-WS HEDT processors will be built on the W890 workstation platform, promising notable upgrades for professional computing.
The platform features a Socket E2 design with 4,710 LGA pins, supporting processors with thermal power up to 350 watts.
It supports both standard DDR5 DIMMs and registered DDR5 modules in quad-channel configurations reaching speeds of 5,200 MT/s.
PCIe lanes and connectivity for demanding workloads
In total, the systems can process up to 2 terabytes of memory per processor socket, a substantial improvement over previous workstation platforms.
The W890 platform supports two tiers: Expert Class and Mainstream – Expert class systems offer 112 PCIe lanes, with 96 PCIe 5.0 lanes and 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, while Mainstream variants provide 80 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
This configuration allows workstations to run multiple GPUs, storage 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.
The power supply uses a standard 24-pin ATX connector and supports up to four additional 8-pin CPU connectors, and server-level management relies on an ASPEED AST2600 BMC and Nuvoton system supervisor.
Leaked specifications suggest that the W890 platform is Intel’s answer to AMD’s Threadripper ecosystem in high-end HEDT workstations.
The top-tier Granite Rapids-WS processor is said to feature 86 cores, 172 threads, 336MB of L3 cache, and single-core boost speeds approaching 4.8GHz.
Improvements to the memory subsystem and a flexible PCIe topology should benefit rendering, simulation, and data analysis tasks.
While AMD maintains higher maximum core and cache counts, Intel’s design prioritizes memory speed and throughput for professional workloads.
Mobile workstations and mini PC systems are unlikely to utilize the full capabilities of the W890 platform due to thermal and space limitations.
Standard desktop workstations, however, can take advantage of expanded memory, PCIe lanes, and connectivity options to support high-performance computing tasks.
These leaks provide a first look at Intel’s approach to maintaining its competitiveness in HEDT workstations.
Final adoption and performance will depend on production processors and official motherboard designs that are revealed at CES 2026.
Via TechPowerUp
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