Intel today introduced the Intel Xeon Processor E3-1200 v5 product family for entry-level workstations. Based on Intel's 14nm Skylake architecture, the product family delivers up to 27 percent higher compute and graphics performance compared to the previous generation Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 v3 product family. according to Intel.

The processors feature 4 cores, ranging in frequency from 2.0 GHz to 3.7 GHz, and have an integrated Intel HD Graphics P530 graphics solution with certification from the workstation software vendors.

The E3-1200 v5 Xeon family includes eleven socketed models. All these parts support DDR4 un-buffered modules in both non-ECC and ECC configurations up to 16 GB per module, giving 64 GB maximum. Expect to see DDR4-2133 at 15-15-15 subtimings being the norm. Similar to the Skylake consumer parts, DDR3L up to 1600 MT/s is also supported.

These are all quad core parts, ranging from 25W low power models at 2.1 GHz base clock (with hyperthreading) up to up to 80W for the fastest 3.7 GHz model. Prices will range from $193 for the E3-1220 v5 up to $612 for the E3-1280 v5. As shown in the table, only a select few will have integrated graphics, and those that do will be under the HD P530 designation, which if we refer to the standard Skylake launch corresponds to a GT2 configuration with 24 execution units.

In order to use a Xeon processor, you need a server based chipset, such as the C230 series. The new Greenlow platform (E3-1200 v5 Xeon plus C232/C236 motherboards) will look like the consumer counterparts with sixteen PCIe lanes for co-processors, dual DDR4/DDR3L memory support, DMI Gen 3.0 to the PCH, a mix of PCIe 3.0 lanes from the chipset, support for up to eight SATA 3.0 ports, and a myriad of possibilities through 26 lanes of HSIO.

GIGABYTE Server and ASRock Rack have already annopunced new motherboards for E3-1200 v5 Xeon workstations.