Unveiling the Intel W890: A Powerhouse Motherboard for Granite Rapids Xeon CPUs with 86 Cores, 1 TB DDR5, Overclocking, and 128 PCIe Lanes

The tech world is buzzing with excitement as the first glimpse of Intel’s W890 motherboard for the upcoming Granite Rapids Workstation “Xeon” CPUs has surfaced. This new development promises significant advancements in processing power and motherboard architecture, marking a pivotal moment for workstation computing.

Unveiling the ADLINK ISB-W890 Motherboard

The ADLINK ISB-W890 motherboard has been designed for AXE servers, specifically to support the 6th Gen Intel Xeon Granite Rapids workstation CPUs. Highlights of this motherboard include a standard CEB form factor measuring 12” x 10.5” (305 x 267mm), offering both easy integration and a space-efficient design. Key features also include support for 4x Channel DDR5 with 8 slots for DDR5 RDIMM, each capable of 6400 MT/s per channel, and a high flexibility of PCIe configurations with 7x PCIe slots, including 3x PCIe x16 slots.

First Intel W890 Motherboard Pictured, Made For Granite Rapids Workstation "Xeon" CPUs With Up To 86 Cores, 1 TB DDR5 + CPU Overclocking Support & 128 PCIe Lanes 1
Image Source: ADLINK

The LGA 4710-2 socket powers server processors like Xeon 6700P and Xeon 6700E, while the W890 chipset is crafted for Xeon workstation chips with up to 86 cores. The board features OC support on select “X” series Xeon 600 “Granite Rapids-WS” chips, allowing users to push their systems beyond standard specifications. The motherboard supports up to 128 GB of memory with speeds reaching 6400 MT/s, providing a stunning 1 TB of capacity, with potential for even higher capacities.

Expansion and Connectivity Options

The ISB-W890 offers impressive expansion capabilities. With the Expert Stream chips providing up to 128 PCIe lanes and the Mainstream Stream chips offering 80 PCIe lanes, users have robust options for connectivity. Here’s the breakdown for each:

Expert stream (128L):

  • 2x PCIe 5.0 x16
  • 1x PCIe 4.0 x16
  • 1x PCIe 5.0 x8
  • 1x PCIe 4.0 x8
  • 1x PCIe 5.0 x4
  • 1x PCIe 4.0 x4

Mainstream (80L):

  • 2x PCIe 5.0 x16
  • 1x PCIe 5.0 x8
  • 1x PCIe 4.0 x8
  • 1x PCIe 5.0 x4
  • 1x PCIe 4.0 x4

Storage options include 4x MCIO x8 connectors, two M.2 M-Key NVMe slots, two SlimSAS slots, and 8 SATA III slots, offering extensive possibilities for system builders and enthusiasts. The IO panel includes various LAN and USB ports, ensuring high-speed connectivity for all your devices.

First Intel W890 Motherboard Pictured, Made For Granite Rapids Workstation "Xeon" CPUs With Up To 86 Cores, 1 TB DDR5 + CPU Overclocking Support & 128 PCIe Lanes 2
Image Source: ADLINK

With its robust features and advanced connectivity, the ISB-W890 is poised to become a cornerstone for professionals seeking top-tier performance in their workstations. As more details emerge and with CES 2026 on the horizon, anticipation builds for Intel’s W890 platform.