Recently, an entry-level model of Intel's Granite Rapids-WS workstation platform surfaced in the PassMark database. This processor, labeled Xeon 654, is identified as one of the lower core count variants in the Granite Rapids-WS series. Judging from its specifications and performance metrics, it seems to probe the lower boundaries of the platform's performance rather than emphasizing the upper performance limits.

The Xeon 654 boasts an 18-core, 36-thread setup, complemented by 72MB of L3 cache and 36MB of L2 cache, characteristic of a full P-Core design. Leaked engineering data suggests a base frequency around 3.1 GHz, with peak acceleration reaching up to 4.8 GHz. Initially, early samples were notably underclocked, resulting in limited test results. However, the current scores align closer to the anticipated performance range for the commercial version.

In comprehensive tests by PassMark, the 18-core Xeon achieved approximately 61,000 points in multi-threaded evaluations and around 3,700 in single-threaded performance. The multi-thread score closely matches that of the previous generation's 28-core Xeon W7-3465X, while the single-thread performance shows about an 18% improvement. This "fewer cores catching up with more cores of the previous generation" phenomenon isn't solely due to IPC advancements but rather stems from frequency enhancements, better scheduling efficiencies, and cache structure modifications. Granite Rapids-WS remains based on the Redwood Cove P-Core, which isn't the latest core architecture, indicating performance gains are primarily due to engineering refinements rather than architectural advancements.

However, when compared to AMD, the differences become more pronounced. In the same test, the 16-core Threadripper 9955WX outperformed the Xeon 654 in both single and multi-threaded tasks, underscoring the Threadripper's significant edge in similar core configurations. This reflects that Zen 5's IPC and frequency efficiency advantages persist. Even AMD's desktop-targeted Ryzen 9 9950X or 9950X3D surpassed this workstation-class Xeon in single-threaded tests, which is unsurprising given that workstation platforms typically adopt more conservative power and stability strategies. AMD's strengths currently capitalize on longstanding optimizations for high-frequency operations and reduced cache latency.

It's notable that the Xeon 654 significantly outperforms earlier Granite Rapids-WS test samples, which struggled to surpass the 12-core Threadripper PRO 9945WX. This disparity reflects Intel's ongoing adjustments to frequency, voltage, and power consumption strategies. Thus, this 18-core Xeon is essentially operating where expected, rather than introducing any surprises.

Regarding product segmentation, the Granite Rapids-WS is divided into two lines: mainstream and expert. The mainstream version supports 4 lanes of DDR5 and 80 PCIe Gen5 lanes, while the expert variant offers 8 memory lanes and 128 PCIe Gen5 lanes. The Xeon 654 distinctly sits at the lower end of the mainstream lineup, targeting the entry-level price segment instead of directly challenging Threadripper's higher-tier models.

Previously revealed, the 64-core Xeon 696X also trailed significantly behind the Threadripper PRO 9985WX in multi-threaded performance, indicating that Granite Rapids-WS lacks an overwhelming advantage concerning core size. The Xeon 654's performance further illustrates that the competitive edge of this Xeon workstation generation leans more on platform specifications and ecosystem support than sheer computational power.

As for the rollout timeline, the official unveiling of the Granite Rapids-WS series is projected around CES 2026, although retail availability might be delayed for several months. In the interim, AMD's Threadripper will continue to hold its architectural generational lead, with Intel's workstation platforms essentially buying time until the next significant architectural leap.