Hot on the heels of AMD’s very successful Ryzen processor launch is a new variant targeted at enterprise and data center applications. The new variant is based on the Zen platform (used in the new Ryzen processors) and is codenamed, Naples. Based on the current details and performance comparisons, Naples looks like a very strong competitor to Intel.
What Makes a Server Processor Good?
It’s important to take a look at what makes for a good server processor. When it comes to server architectures, performance in categories such as memory bandwidth and connectivity are often critical. Other important considerations are the processor’s memory controllers and PCI Express connectivity.
What are the Naples Processors Packing?
Now that you’ve got a (very brief) overview of what to look for in a server grade processor, we can begin to evaluate the new Naples CPUs.
AMD’s initial Naples offering will feature 32 cores (64 threads), 8 memory channels and 128 PCIe lanes per chip. The 128 on-die PCIe lanes will also minimize or completely negate the need for latency-inducing PCIe switches in server designs. All this leads to some pretty significant performance claims over Intel’s E5-2699A V4.
For example, in tests performing Seismic Analysis, AMD claims it’s processors are up to 2.5x faster than Intel’s chips. There’s also this slide:
Instinct GPUs
The new processor’s direct attach PCIe connectivity could also work with AMD’s Instinct GPUs, which are designed for AI and machine learning applications. With both the new Naples processor and Instinct GPU you could be looking at one very powerful setup.
How is Intel Fighting Back?
Intel recently acquired deep-learning startup Nervana systems and plans to incorporate their tech into upcoming Lake Crest and Knights Crest CPUs. This move will make these processors more appealing for AI and machine learning. So, Intel hopes will make them more desirable. It should also result in increased I/O capabilities and more, but current reports don’t show anything near the capabilities of Naples.
We won’t have any real-world benchmarks to analyze until Naples’ Q2 release. But from what AMD has presented so far, this could shake up Intel’s monopoly on the Server Processor Market. Leave a comment below letting us know what you think of the Naples processor.
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