News Release
INTEL SHIPS MULTI-CORE SERVER PLATFORMS
Intel Corporation today announced the availability of its first dual-core, hyper-threaded Intel Xeon processors for
entry-level dual processor servers. The new processors help to improve the performance and response time of
multi-threaded server applications.
“The availability of our first dual-core server platforms accelerates the delivery of Intel’s aggressive multi-core
server roadmap, giving CIOs and IT managers innovative new technologies and capabilities to help grow and transform
their business,” said Kirk Skaugen, general manager of Intel’s Server Platforms Group.
The new dual-core Intel Xeon processors are expected to help improve the performance of today’s dual processor, 64-bit
servers by up to 50 percent.** Early next year, Intel plans to deliver a new server platform, codenamed ‘Bensley,’
consisting of a dual-core Intel Xeon processor, codenamed ‘Dempsey,’ a chipset, codenamed ‘Blackford,’ and integrated
technologies to help improve manageability, IT productivity, and performance of servers in the data centre.
Premium server platforms based on the new dual-core Intel Xeon processor are available today. The forthcoming Dual-Core
Intel Xeon processor 7000 sequence for multi-processor servers, codenamed ‘Paxville,’ is expected to be available in the
next 60 days. Over the next few months, servers and workstations based on both platforms are expected to be available
worldwide from system manufacturers including ASUSTek*, Dell*, Egenera*, Fujitsu Siemens*, Gateway*, HP*, HCL
Infosystems Ltd*, IBM*, Kraftway*, Lang chao*, Lenovo*, Maxdata*, NEC*, Samsung*, Supermicro*, Unisys* and Wipro
Infotech*.
In addition to delivering multi-core processors, Intel will integrate a host of technologies into the silicon including
hyper-threading technology, virtualisation, security and management technology. Dual-core processing, combined with
Intel Hyper-Threading technology (HT), which allows one core to function as two ‘logical’ cores, enables vast increases
in the amount of work a processor can do in the same time as a processor with one core. With HT technology, one
dual-core processor is able to simultaneously run four software threads. As more processors are added to a server, the
number of supported threads increases to help deliver even better overall performance.
Processing Capability by Platform
No. of processors per platform No. of cores per platform No. of threads per platform
Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 2.80GHz 2 4 8
Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 7000 Up to 32 Up to 64 Up to 128
Dempsey processor 2 4 8
Montecito processor Up to 64 Up to 128 Up to 256
The new dual-core Intel Xeon processor runs at 2.80GHz with an 800MHz system bus and 2MB of Level 2 cache per core and
will use the Intel E7520 chipset. Since each core is equipped with its own cache, the amount of traffic on the system
bus is reduced and each core has faster access to data. Other features include Intel EM64T, HT technology, Execute
Disable
Bit, and Demand Based Switching. Servers based on these processors are well suited for applications such as web server,
infrastructure and email.
The Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7000 sequence for multi-processor servers is expected to run at speeds up to 3.0GHz
and includes a new chipset, the Intel E8501, to support an 800MHz system bus and support for the existing Intel E8500
chipset. The platform will also include a dual, independent system bus, DDR2 Memory, PCI Express, memory RAID and I/O
technologies. Initial preliminary testing resulted in up to 60 percent performance improvement over previous
generations.*** These server platforms are targeted at mid-tier enterprise applications such as database, financial
services and supply chain management.
Intel plans to deliver three more server platforms to round out its initial dual-core server and workstation portfolio.
Later this year, Intel will ship dual-core Intel Itanium® processors. In the first half of 2006, Intel is expected to
deliver a volume dual-core Intel Xeon processor platform and ship dual-core Intel Xeon processors designed for systems
requiring low power consumption. All of these systems are currently shipping as evaluation platforms to customers.
The Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 2.80GHz is available for US$1,043 in 1,000-unit quantities. Pricing for the
forthcoming dual-core server processors will be provided within the next 60 days.
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, Itanium and Intel 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.
** Performance based on result submitted to www.spec.org on SPECint_rate_base2000 benchmark. Baseline system
configuration: IBM eServer xSeries 346 Server platform with two 64-bit Intel Xeon processors 3.60GHz with 2MB L2 Cache,
800 MHz system bus, 8x512MB ECC PC2-3200 DIMMs for RAM, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition for OS and Intel
Compiler 8.1 binaries. For more information see
http://www.spec.org/cpu2000/results/res2005q2/cpu2000-20050514-04113.html. New configuration: IBM eServer xSeries 346
Server platform with two Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors 2.80GHz with 2x2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz system bus, 4GB DDR2,
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, Intel C/C++ Compiler 9.0 for 32-bit applications, Intel Fortran Compiler
9.0 (20050624Z) for 32-bit applications, Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, MicroQuill Smartheap Library 7.30. For additional
information on other applications tested and benchmark results see
http://www.intel.com/performance/server/xeon/index.htm. Results vary by hardware and software configuration.
*** Performance gain based on Intel internal measurements of Java Performance. Baseline Intel Server platform contains
four 64-bit Intel Xeon Processors MP 3.33GHz with 8M L3 cache, Intel E8500 chipset, Intel Hyper Threading ON. The new
Intel Server pre-production platform contains four Intel Xeon Processors with the Intel E8501 chipset and with Intel
Hyper Threading ON.
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, visit www.intel.com/performance/resources/limits.htm or call (U.S.) (800) 628-8686 or
(916) 356-3104.
ENDS