Two Intel Cascade Lake-X processors which are part of the HEDT X299 platform have leaked out in Geekbench database (via Momomo_Us). The processors include an 18 core part and a 10 core part, both of which would be based on a heavily optimized 14nm process to deliver better performance.
Intel 18 Core & 10 Core Cascade Lake-X HEDT CPUs Benchmarked In Geekbench
Both processors seem to be leaked by Dell who tested them with their Precision 5820 X-Series PCs. The Precision 5820 Tower is a high-end workstation PC that currently supports 9th Gen Core-X and Xeon W-2000 series processors on the LGA 2066 socket. Since the Precision 5820 is being used to test the upcoming HEDT processors, we can tell that those would be supported by Intel's LGA 2066 socket too. The processors are identified as GenuineIntel Family 6 Model 85 Stepping 7 confirming that these are indeed Cascade Lake-based parts and not Skylake-X designs that we have seen with 7th and 9th Gen HEDT processors.
The flagship variant is the 18 core and 36 thread part which is listed with clock speeds of 2.19 GHz base and 3.28 GHz boost. The clock speeds definitely don't look final as Intel's current 18 core part, the Core i9-9980XE has clocks of 3.00 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. The other part is the 10 core variant with 20 threads. This processor is clocked at 3.40 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost which is in line with the current HEDT 10 core part that has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.
In terms of performance, the 18 core variant has a single-core score of 5387 points and a multi-core score of 54597 points. The 10 core variant has a single-core score of 5468 points and a multi-core score of 39820 points. The 18 core variant is about as fast as the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX (24 Core / 48 Thread) while the 10 core part is about as fast as the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X (12 core / 24 Thread).
Intel HEDT Processor Families:
| Intel HEDT Family | Sapphire Rapids-X? (Sapphire Rapids Expert) | Alder Lake-X? (Sapphire Rapids Mainstream) | Cascade Lake-X | Skylake-X | Skylake-X | Skylake-X | Broadwell-E | Haswell-E | Ivy Bridge-E | Sandy Bridge-E | Gulftown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Process Node | 10nm ESF | 10nm ESF | 14nm++ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm | 22nm | 22nm | 32nm | 32nm |
| Flagship SKU | TBA | TBA | Core i9-10980XE | Xeon W-3175X | Core i9-9980XE | Core i9-7980XE | Core i7-6950X | Core i7-5960X | Core i7-4960X | Core i7-3960X | Core i7-980X |
| Max Cores/Threads | 56/112? | 24/48 | 18/36 | 28/56 | 18/36 | 18/36 | 10/20 | 8/16 | 6/12 | 6/12 | 6/12 |
| Clock Speeds | ~4.5 GHz | ~5.0 GHz | 3.00 / 4.80 GHz | 3.10/4.30 GHz | 3.00/4.50 GHz | 2.60/4.20 GHz | 3.00/3.50 GHz | 3.00/3.50 GHz | 3.60/4.00 GHz | 3.30/3.90 GHz | 3.33/3,60 GHz |
| Max Cache | 105 MB L3 | 45 MB L3 | 24.75 MB L3 | 38.5 MB L3 | 24.75 MB L3 | 24.75 MB L3 | 25 MB L3 | 20 MB L3 | 15 MB L3 | 15 MB L3 | 12 MB L3 |
| Max PCI-Express Lanes (CPU) | 112 Gen 5 | 65 Gen 5 | 44 Gen3 | 44 Gen3 | 44 Gen3 | 44 Gen3 | 40 Gen3 | 40 Gen3 | 40 Gen3 | 40 Gen2 | 32 Gen2 |
| Chipset Compatiblity | W790? | W790? | X299 | C612E | X299 | X299 | X99 Chipset | X99 Chipset | X79 Chipset | X79 Chipset | X58 Chipset |
| Socket Compatiblity | LGA 4677? | LGA 4677? | LGA 2066 | LGA 3647 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011 | LGA 2011 | LGA 1366 |
| Memory Compatiblity | DDR5-4800? | DDR5-5200? | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2800 | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2133 | DDR3-1866 | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max TDP | ~500W | ~400W | 165W | 255W | 165W | 165W | 140W | 140W | 130W | 130W | 130W |
| Launch | Q4 2022? | Q4 2022? | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q3 2017 | Q2 2016 | Q3 2014 | Q3 2013 | Q4 2011 | Q1 2010 |
| Launch Price | TBA | TBA | $979 US | ~$4000 US | $1979 US | $1999 US | $1700 US | $1059 US | $999 US | $999 US | $999 US |
However, about the time when Intel would introduce their next-gen Core-X lineup, AMD would be ready to launch their 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper processors. A leaked entry of what seems to be a 32 core, 64 thread Ryzen Threadripper 3000 series processor reveals ground-breaking numbers in multi-core performance and also a major uplift in single-core performance which is as fast as Intel's current HEDT lineup.
At Computex 2019, we saw various new and refreshed LGA 2066 socketed motherboards that had been designed to accommodate the upcoming Core-X processors. These motherboards had aggressive power delivery systems and more cooling heatsinks than the current ones suggesting that Intel will definitely be tuning up the wattage on the high side to get those max clocks out of the Core-X line. Unless or until Intel is planning major price reductions or a new LGA 3647 based lineup with up to 28 cores, there HEDT lineup just doesn't feel that compelling than what their competitor has in the works.
