Intel · Xeon 6+ · 2026 · LGA7529
The Intel Xeon 6980E+ is a server processor with 264 cores, released in 2026. It is part of the Xeon 6+ lineup, using the Xeon 6+ platform, and fits the LGA7529 socket. Internally, it is built on the "Clearwater Forest" architecture. The Xeon 6980E+ has a base clock of 2.1 GHz and can boost up to 3.2 GHz depending on workload and thermal headroom. Intel manufactures the "Clearwater Forest" silicon on a Intel 18A process node. This processor supports DDR5 memory across 12 channels, up to 6TB total, with ECC support standard for data integrity in server workloads. It supports both single-socket (1P) and dual-socket (2P) configurations, with 96 lanes of PCIe 5.0 available for storage, networking and accelerators. With a TDP of 400W, the Xeon 6980E+ runs hot and requires a capable cooling setup. The cache hierarchy consists of no dedicated of L1, no dedicated of L2, and 528MB of L3 cache — a substantial cache pool well suited to memory-bound enterprise and virtualization workloads.
Next-generation Xeon 6+ E-core SKU (successor to Sierra Forest) — no hyperthreading, thread count equals core count, built for extreme cloud-native core density.
| Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Xeon 6+ |
| Series | Xeon 6+ |
| Architecture | Clearwater Forest |
| Codename | Clearwater Forest |
| Launch year | 2026 |
| Cores | 264 |
| Threads | 264 |
| Base clock | 2.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 cache | 528MB |
| TDP | 400W |
| Socket | LGA7529 |
| Process | Intel 18A |
| Memory type | DDR5 |
| Memory channels | 12 |
| Max memory | 6TB |
| PCIe lanes | 96 (PCIe 5.0) |
| ECC memory | Yes |
| Socket scalability | 1P and 2P |
| OEM / tray part number | PK807303B9B4E14 |