Cascade Lake
Intel's 14 nm optimization of Skylake for server, workstation and enthusiast.
Cascade Lake is the codename for a family of Intel processors built on a 14 nm manufacturing process, targeting servers, workstations, and high-end desktops. Released in April 2019, it represents an optimization step within Intel's process-architecture-optimization model, refining the earlier Skylake design. Intel introduced this generation as the first to support memory modules based on 3D XPoint technology. The lineup also includes Deep Learning Boost (DPL) instructions and incorporates hardware mitigations for the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities.
Quick Facts
- Code
- 80695
- Numcores
- 4-56
- Clock
- Up to 4.8 GHz
- Arch
- x86-64
- Instructions
- MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AVX-512
- Extensions
- AES-NI, CLMUL, RDRAND, MPX, TXT, TSX, VT-x, VT-d
- Predecessor
- Skylake
- Successor
- 1S & 2S Systems / Ice Lake / 4S & 8S Systems / Cooper Lake
- Support Status
- Xeon Scalable: Discontinued as of October 2, 2023 / Xeon W-2200 and Core X-Series: Discontinued after April 26, 2024
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Cascade Lake was launched in April 2019 as an optimization of the Skylake microarchitecture under Intel's process–architecture–optimization model. It is the first Intel generation to support 3D XPoint-based memory modules, and it introduced Deep Learning Boost (DPL) instructions along with hardware mitigations for the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities. The generation spans multiple market segments: server (Cascade Lake-SP and Cascade Lake-AP), workstation (Cascade Lake-W), and enthusiast (Cascade Lake-X).
Cascade Lake-AP is branded as Xeon Platinum 9200 series, with all SKUs soldered to the motherboard; these CPUs will not work with Optane Memory. Cascade Lake-SP includes Xeon Platinum 8200 series, Xeon Gold 6200 series, Xeon Gold 5200 series, Xeon Silver series, and Xeon Bronze series. Cascade Lake-W comprises the Xeon W-3200 and Xeon W-2200 series. On February 24, 2020, Intel officially launched new Xeon Scalable SKUs, with bolded entries in the Xeon Platinum 8200, Gold 6200, Gold 5200, Silver, and Bronze series.
Reader's Guide
Cascade Lake's significance lies in its role as a refinement of the Skylake architecture, delivering incremental improvements in performance and security. As the first Intel generation to support 3D XPoint-based memory modules, it enabled new memory tiering possibilities in server environments. The inclusion of Deep Learning Boost instructions provided hardware acceleration for AI inference workloads, while the Meltdown and Spectre mitigations addressed critical security flaws discovered in previous generations. The February 24, 2020 launch of new Xeon Scalable SKUs extended the lineup's lifespan and competitiveness. However, the Cascade Lake-AP variant's requirement that CPUs be soldered to the motherboard and its incompatibility with Optane Memory limited its flexibility. Overall, Cascade Lake served as a bridge between the Skylake era and later architectures, maintaining Intel's presence in the server and workstation markets during a period of heightened security and AI demands.
Did You Know?
- Cascade Lake is an optimization of Skylake in Intel's process–architecture–optimization model.
- It is Intel's first generation to support 3D XPoint-based memory modules.
- Cascade Lake-AP CPUs are soldered to the motherboard and will not work with Optane Memory.
- New Xeon Scalable SKUs were officially launched on February 24, 2020.
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