SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 1, 2005 – Originally planned for early
2006, Intel Corporation’s first dual-core, hyper-threaded processors
for servers with four or more processors started shipping today. The
processors deliver record levels of performance2 and are optimal for multi-threaded applications such as database, supply chain management and financial services software.
“With a current installed base of over 30 million, Intel Xeon
processor-based servers are the proven platform of choice,” said Kirk
Skaugen, general manager of Intel’s Server Platforms Group. “Intel’s
multi-core-based servers currently deliver record-breaking performance
including surpassing the $1 TPM-C barrier for database application
price performance on a dual processor server for the first time.3”
The new processors are at the core of a record-setting four-processor server performance result2
recently published on the TPC-C benchmark*. TPC-C simulates a complete
computing environment where a population of users executes transactions
against a database and measures the number of complete business
operations that can be performed by the server. More information can be
found at www.tpc.org.
The Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® processor 7000 sequence, formerly
codenamed “Paxville MP,” is shipping today with speeds up to 3.0 GHz
and a 667 MHz dual, independent system bus. The new processors will fit
into existing platforms using the Intel® E8500 chipset that was
architected for dual-core and shipped earlier this year. In early 2006,
Intel plans to ship new versions of the chipset and processorthat will
support an 800 MHz dual, independent system bus.
The platform shipping today includes DDR2 Memory, PCI Express,
advanced reliability features, and hardware-enabled support for Intel®
Virtualization Technology.4 This new technology is designed
to provide hardware support within the processor for virtualized server
applications, providing enhanced functionality and workload support.
Intel is working with the industry to turn on this capability via a
BIOS switch in early 2006.
“Intel-based servers with dual-core technology will further increase
the IT efficiency and system utilization for VMware customers,” said
Brian Byun, vice president of Strategic Alliances, VMware.
“Virtualization is the killer application to harness the increased
power of multi-core processors across a broad range of enterprise
workloads. VMware will be able to deliver enhanced product capabilities
through the hardware virtualization support enabled in the latest
dual-core Intel Xeon processor platforms.”
Servers based on the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7000 sequence
are expected to be available from system manufacturers worldwide
beginning today and into next year including Dell, Egenera, Fujitsu
Siemens, Gateway, HP, HCL Infosystems Ltd, IBM, Kraftway, Lang chao,
Lenovo, Maxdata, NEC, Samsung, Supermicro, Unisys and Wipro Infotech.
Looking ahead, Intel disclosed additional details on future Intel
Xeon processor MP-based platforms. In the second half of
2006, Intel plans to deliver “Tulsa,” a 65nm dual-core Intel Xeon
processor MP with a larger 16 MB shared L3 cache for servers with four
or more processors. Tulsa will fit into the same systems as the
dual-core Intel Xeon processor 7000 sequence introduced today and begin
shipping to customers for evaluation by the end of 2005.
In October, Intel updated its Intel Xeon processor MP roadmap with
the addition of a new platform in 2007, codenamed “Caneland,” that is
planned to include a quad-core processor, codenamed “Tigerton,” based
on Intel’s next generation micro-architecture. The Caneland platform is
designed to deliver higher performance through a high-speed
interconnect, an interface connecting each processor directly to the
chipset. In addition, the Caneland platform is expected to implement an
upcoming memory technology, called Fully-Buffered Dual In-Line Memory
Module (FB-DIMM) and will include four memory interconnects that take
advantage of the increased capabilities of the technology.
Current Intel Price List5
Processors |
Price in 1,000 unit quantities |
Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7040
3.0 GHz, 2x2 MB L2, 667 MHz FSB |
$3,157 |
Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7041
3.0 GHz, 2x2 MB L2, 800 MHz FSB
|
$3,157 |
Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7020
2.66 GHz, 2x1 MB L2, 667 MHz FSB |
$1,177 |
Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7030
2.80 GHz, 2x1 MB L2, 800 MHz FSB
|
$1,980 |
Chipsets |
|
Intel E8501 chipset |
$255 |
Intel E8500 chipset |
$255 |
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a
leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications
products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
Intel and Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other
countries.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
2 IBM eServer xSeries 366 Server with four
Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 7040, 64GB DDR-2 Memory, Microsoft
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition, Database Software IBM DB2
UDB 8.2. Referenced as published at 221,017 tpmC at $8.27/tpmC;
Submission Date: October 31, 2005; availability date as listed in the
submitted report is March 31, 2006. More information is available at www.tpc.org.
3 See configuration details at www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pedge/en/pedge_tpcc_pwrnt.pdf
4 Intel® Virtualization Technology requires a
computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, virtual machine
monitor (VMM) and for some uses, certain platform software enabled for
it. Functionality, performance or other benefit will vary depending on
hardware and software configurations.
5 Product descriptions and the list prices
stated are provided solely for informational purposes only and are
subject to change without notice. Such list prices are not and
should not be construed as a quote or an offer from Intel to sell the
products at these list prices.
Performance Disclaimer:
Performance tests and ratings are measured using specific
computer systems and/or components and reflect the approximate
performance of Intel products as measured by those tests. Any
difference in system hardware or software design or configuration may
affect actual performance. Buyers should consult other sources of
information to evaluate the performance of systems or components they
are considering purchasing. For more information on
performance tests and on the performance of Intel products, reference www.intel.com/performance/server/xeon_mp/spp.htm or call (U.S.) 1-800-628-8686 or 1-916-356-3104.
The following statements are based on current
expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results
may differ materially. Please see the Risk Factors Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements in this release for a description of certain
important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ, and
refer to Intel’s annual and quarterly reports on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a more complete
description of the risks. These statements do not include the potential
impact of any mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, investments or other
business combinations that may be completed after Oct. 17.
News Source: Intel Press Release
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