New Large Cache Pentium® III Xeon™ Processors Designed for multiprocessing Systems
Intel New Zealand today announced the 900 MHz large cache Pentium® III Xeon™ processors. Featuring 2 Megabytes (MB) of
“on-die” level-two (L2) cache, the processors deliver new levels of performance for high-end, Intel-based server
platforms based on 4 and 8-way multiprocessing systems.
Depending on applications and configurations, the processor’s increased frequency speed combined with its unique cache
design boosts overall system performance up to 20 percent* when compared to existing Intel-based large cache platforms.
Servers, featuring the 700 MHz Pentium III Xeon processors, currently lead the world in raw performance verses systems
based on other proprietary architectures. These systems hold the top four positions in transaction processing
performance in the world as measured by the Transaction Processing Performance Council, benchmark C (TPC-C)*.
“The Pentium III Xeon processor is the premier product within the industry, offering customers a choice of OS and
applications and record-breaking performance at affordable prices,” says Scott Gilmour, General Manager, Intel New
Zealand. “Combined with the upcoming release of our new Xeon processor family based on the NetBurst™ architecture and
our anticipated platform release of the Intel® Itanium™ processor in the second quarter, today’s announcement is part of
an aggressive plan to continue to introduce powerful and scalable processors for every platform type.”
Intel’s existing line of server products power all facets of the e-Business data center, from ultra-dense and front-end
servers to mid-tier and back-end systems. According to International Data Corporation, Intel-based server shipments made
up more than 84 percent of all servers shipped in Q4, 2000.
During this same period, Intel-based servers comprised 69 percent of 4-way capable server shipments addressing the
mid-tier server segment. In the fastest growing segment of back-end (5-8 way capable servers), Intel-based servers made
up 47 percent of unitshipments.
Server Technology Leadership
Intel’s high-end Xeon processor family is specially designed to meet the scalability, availability and manageability
needs of the server market segment. The 100 MHz system bus, faster clock speeds and larger cache configurations provide
headroom for computation and I/O-intensive
workloads. The 2 MB Advanced Transfer Cache memory with Advanced System Buffering increases the width of the data
pathway to the processors and reduces cache latencies.
The processors are built using the SC330 cartridge, which enables server manufacturers to use existing server platform
components for a faster time to market. On-cartridge voltage management and manageability features provide increased
system reliability along with remote monitoring and system diagnostic capabilities.
Pricing and Availability
The Pentium III Xeon processors at 900 MHz with 2 MB cache are priced at US$3,692 in 1,000-unit quantities.
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.