Intel Continues Push Down Power-Optimisation Path

News Release

Intel Continues Push Down Power-Optimisation Path With Intel Xeon Processor Line

Completing an era in enterprise computing and signaling the beginning of a new generation of platforms and capabilities, Intel Corporation today announced availability of its last planned single-core Intel® Xeon™ processor. Intel also announced new low voltage versions of its Intel Xeon processor line as the company shifts to enterprise platforms with processors having two or more cores.

“We are aggressively driving the transformation to an entire new generation of multi-core servers. As the most widely-deployed 64-bit platform in the industry, Xeon is the clear server and workstation workhorse for business,” said Diane Bryant, vice president of Intel’s Digital Enterprise Group and general manager of Intel’s Server Platforms Group. “And as we support the transition to multi-core enterprise computing, Intel is already sampling next-generation processors and platforms that will consume orders of magnitude less power and incorporate new platform technologies that deliver leadership manageability, virtualisation and I/O efficiency.”

As part of its strategy to improve power efficiency, Intel today introduced low voltage versions of its Intel Xeon processors. They include the 64-bit Intel Xeon processor LV 3GHz1 with only a 55W processor power envelope and the 64-bit Intel Xeon processor MV 3.20GHz with a 90W processor power envelope. Both processors are targeted at server rack and blade designs where space is constrained and power-efficiency is a priority.

Intel also introduced a new 64-bit Intel Xeon processor with 2MB of L2 cache running at 3.80GHz that is drop-in compatible with the previous Intel Xeon processor platforms and
continues to offer power-saving features with Demand Based Switching, enhanced performance and flexibility with support for Hyper-Threading Technology2, DDR2-400 memory and PCI Express*. Additionally, Intel introduced a 64-bit Intel Xeon processor 2.80GHz with 2MB L2 cache for servers used in small and medium business environments.

“Building on our history of delivering high-performance and innovative platforms to customers in high volume, Intel has an impressive roadmap of dual-core and multi-core Intel Xeon platforms under development,” said Bryant.

In the coming weeks, Intel will introduce its first dual-core Intel Xeon processor, codenamed ‘Paxville.’ Originally scheduled in 2006, Paxville will deliver improved performance for both dual-processor (DP) and multi-processor (MP)-based servers.

In early 2006, Intel will deliver another server platform, codenamed ‘Bensley,’ including a dual-core Intel Xeon processor, codenamed ‘Dempsey,’ a chipset optimised for dual-core, codenamed ‘Blackford’ and technologies that will improve performance, manageability, reliability and productivity. At that time Intel will bring to market a dual-core Intel Xeon processor-based workstation platform, codenamed ‘Glidewell,’ also including the Dempsey processor, and a new chipset, optimised for workstations, codenamed ‘Greencreek.’

To further efforts in reducing server power consumption, in 2006 Intel also plans to deliver a new dual-core processor, codenamed ‘Sossaman,’ targeted at power-constrained environments.

Later in 2006, Intel will introduce a dual-core Intel Xeon processor-based platform, codenamed ‘Woodcrest,’ designed on Intel’s advanced 65-nanometre technology manufacturing process. Woodcrest, based on the company’s next-generation, power-optimised micro-architecture, will offer dramatically improved performance and greatly reduced power consumption.

Pricing and Availability
64-bit Intel Xeon processors with 2MB L2 cache at operating speeds of 3.80GHz and 2.80GHz are available now for US$851 and US$198, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities. The 64-bit Intel Xeon processor LV 3GHz is priced at US$519 in 1,000-unit quantities. And the 64-bit Intel Xeon processor MV 3.20GHz is priced at US$487 in 1,000 unit quantities.

About Intel
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.
1 Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (Intel EM64T) requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, OS, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel EM64T. Processor will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel EM64T-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on your hardware and software configurations. Intel EM64T-enabled OS, BIOS, device drivers and applications may not be available. Check with your vendor for more information.
2 Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel Xeon processor supporting Hyper-Threading Technology and an HT Technology-enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See http://www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading/ for more information including details on which processors support HT Technology.

ENDS

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