Intel Launches Next Wave of Multi-Core Servers

News Release

INTEL LAUNCHES NEXT WAVE OF MULTI-CORE SERVER PLATFORMS

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 performance1 and are optimal for multi-threaded applications such as database, supply chain management and financial services software.

“With a current install 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 US$1 TPM-C barrier for database application price performance on a dual processor server for the first time.2”

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 3.0GHz and a 667MHz 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 processor that will support an 800MHz dual, independent system bus.

The platform shipping today includes DDR2 Memory, PCI Express, advanced reliability features, and hardware-enabled support for Intel Virtualisation Technology.3 This new technology is designed to provide hardware support within the processor for virtualised server applications, helping to make them more reliable, robust and efficient. 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 utilisation for VMWare customers,” said Brian Byun, vice president of Technical Alliances, VMWare. “Virtualisation 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 virtualisation 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 16MB 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 List4
Processors Price in 1,000 unit quantities
Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7040
3.0GHz, 2x2MB L2, 667MHz FSB US$3,157
Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7041
3.0GHz, 2x2MB L2, 800MHz FSB US$3,157
Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7020
2.66GHz, 2x1MB L2, 667MHz FSB US$1,177
Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7030
2.80GHz, 2x1MB L2, 800MHz FSB US$1,980
Chipsets
Intel E8501 chipset US$255
Intel E8500 chipset US$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 is trademark 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 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 US$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.
2 See configuration details at www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pedge/en/pedge_tpcc_pwrnt.pdf
3 Intel Virtualisation 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.
4 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

ENDS

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