Intel Launches Next Wave Of Multi-Core Server Platforms

Originally planned for early 2006, Intel's first dual-core, hyper-threaded processors for servers with four or more processors started shipping yesterday.

The Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® processor 7000 sequence, formerly codenamed "Paxville MP," is shipping 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 includes DDR2 Memory, PCI Express, advanced reliability features, and hardware-enabled support for Intel Virtualization Technology 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.

Servers based on the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7000 sequence are expected to be available from system manufacturers worldwide beginning yesterday 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.

And 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 List (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
• Intel E8501 chipset - $255
• Intel E8500 chipset - $255

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