- Intel’s W890 platform supports dual-tier configurations for professional workstation flexibility
- Expert-class systems provide 112 PCIe lanes for high-performance GPU and storage setups
- Granite Rapids-WS processors will have 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 introduces a Socket E2 design with 4,710 LGA pins that supports CPUs with thermal design power of up to 350 watts.
It accommodates 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, systems can address up to 2 terabytes of memory per processor socket, a significant 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 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, dual SlimSAS connectors providing PCIe 4.0 x4 bandwidth and a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet controller.
Power supply uses a standard 24-pin ATX connector and supports up to four additional 8-pin CPU headers, and server-grade management relies on an ASPEED AST2600 BMC and Nuvoton system supervisor.
Leaked specs suggest the W890 platform is Intel’s answer to AMD’s Threadripper ecosystem in premium HEDT workstations.
The top-tier Granite Rapids-WS processor reportedly has 86 cores, 172 threads, 336MB of L3 cache and single-core boost speeds approaching 4.8GHz.
Memory subsystem improvements and a flexible PCIe topology are expected to benefit rendering, simulation and data analysis tasks.
While AMD maintains higher maximum core counts and cache, 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.
However, standard desktop workstations can take advantage of the 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 competitiveness in HEDT workstations.
Final adoption and performance will depend on production CPUs and the official motherboard designs revealed at CES 2026.
Via TechPowerUp
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