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Intel introduces Clearwater Forest Xeon 6+ data center CPU on 18A process node
Monday, March 2, 2026 at 03:10 PM
Intel has introduced the Clearwater Forest Xeon 6+ data center CPU, marking the company's first server processor manufactured using the Intel 18A process node.
Context
Intel has officially introduced its next-generation Clearwater Forest Xeon processors, representing the first major high-volume product built on the advanced Intel 18A process node. Designed specifically for 6G infrastructure and edge AI workloads, these chips are scheduled for production and launch in 2025. This milestone is a critical component of the company's ambitious "five nodes in four years" strategy, signaling a transition toward more efficient, high-density computing architectures meant to handle massive data throughput at the network's edge.
The chips utilize cutting-edge innovations including RibbonFET gate-all-around transistors and PowerVia backside power delivery to maximize performance per watt. For investors, Clearwater Forest serves as a vital proof of concept for the 18A node, which Intel intends to use to regain process leadership over manufacturing rivals like TSMC. By targeting the intersection of AI and telecommunications, the company aims to capture high-growth demand in the distributed computing and networking sectors as global infrastructure shifts toward 6G standards.
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