Intel unveiled an ultra-high-performance Xeon 6+ CPU with 288 cores at MWC 2026 under way in Barcelona, SiliconANGLE reported on Tuesday.

The chip targets next-generation AI networks and data centres. It is designed with a multi-chip structure that integrates 12 compute tiles and 16 accelerators. Intel said it supports DDR5-8000 memory and the UPI 2.0 interconnect to maximise large-scale data processing and AI inference performance.

The Xeon 6+ is based on 288 Darkmont E-cores and delivers 17 percent higher IPC, or instructions per clock. It offers five times more cache than the previous generation and 20 percent faster memory speeds. Each CPU includes Intel Dynamic Load Balancer, QuickAssist Technology, Data Streaming Accelerator and In-Memory Analytics Accelerator to optimise AI workloads. Intel stressed that this allows telecom operators and data centre operators to run dozens or more virtual machines on a single CPU.

Kevork Kechichian (케보르크 케치치안), head of Intel's data centre group, said the Xeon 6+ supports real-time AI inference in virtualised RAN environments so data can be processed on site without moving to cloud servers. He said Intel is developing AI-based 6G solutions in cooperation with Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson.

Intel plans to launch the Xeon 6+ in the first half of this year and will focus on network providers and the data centre market.