Intel is preparing not only 64-core Emerald Rapids processors, but also 144-core and even 288-core Sierra Forest. And such a processor appeared in the test for the first time.

A result of a 144-core CPU has appeared on Geekbench, the name of which is not specified. More precisely, the test was passed by a system based on the Beechnut City platform with two such processors, that is, it had a total of 288 cores. Let us remind you that Sierra Forest will only have small cores based on the Crestmont architecture – the same ones will appear in consumer Meteor Lake and Arrow Lake.

The test CPU had 144 cores with a frequency of 2.2 GHz, 108 MB of L3 cache and 64 MB of L2 cache.

The benchmark result is 855 and 7770 points in single-threaded and multi-threaded modes, respectively. These are low results, but the test CPUs were early engineering samples, so the results as a whole can be omitted.

The Xeon Sierra Forest processors will be aimed at cloud data centers and will be direct competitors to AMD’s Bergamo generation Epyc, which offers a maximum of 128 cores. True, although these are Zen 4C cores and not Zen 4, they are technically identical, so the performance of one such core is likely higher than the Crestmon core. Additionally, the Zen 4C cores support multi-threading, something Intel’s smaller cores don’t have.

Yesterday, AMD introduced the Ryzen 8040U/H/HS mobile processors, which are technically practically no different from similar Ryzen 7040 models. From a recent interview with company representatives, it became clear that AMD will really focus on artificial intelligence in the new line.

AMD will actively promote AI-related improvements when selling laptops with new APUs. In particular, as you can see, the new processor logo stickers will clearly indicate that this is not just a Ryzen processor, but a Ryzen with AI.

Let us recall that in fact, the NPU unit, which is called Ryzen AI or XDNA in AMD processors, is the only thing that has changed significantly in the Ryzen 8040. This unit has become 60% more productive compared to the Ryzen 7040. However, it is not available in all processors of the new rulers. More precisely, it is not present in two models: Ryzen 3 8440U and Ryzen 5 8540U, since they are based on the Phoenix2 crystal, where the specified block is physically absent.

In an interview, AMD representatives said that the company is going to communicate to customers about the emphasis on AI to make the new processors more understandable for the buyer.

Unfortunately, so far there is no particular practical effect from hardware units for working with AI for ordinary buyers. Perhaps the situation will change with the release of Windows 12, which will have much more artificial intelligence technologies integrated into the OS itself.

Minisforum has introduced a new product called AR900i. This is a Mini-ITX motherboard with an already installed processor and cooling system.

The heart of the solution is the mobile Core i9-13900HX, which you can’t just buy to build a desktop system, but can be purchased as part of similar ready-made solutions.

The board also has a pair of slots for DDR5 SO-DIMM RAM, four slots for SSD with PCIe 4.0, a PCIe 5.0 slot for a video card, a fairly massive cooling system and a good set of ports, including HDMI 2.0, DP 1.4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, a pair of USB 3.2 Gen 2, two USB 2.0, RJ45 2.5GbE. Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E adapters are also available.

The dimensions of the new product are 170 x 170 mm. This board costs $560 together with the CPU.