Intel Ships Multi-Core Server Platforms.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Intel Corporation today announced the availability of its first dual-core, hyper-threaded Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor for dual processor servers. The new processor helps to improve the performance and response time of multi-threaded server applications.

"The availability of our first dual-core Intel Xeon processor 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.(1) 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 center.

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, virtualization, security, and management technology. Dual-core processing, combined with Intel(R) 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       No. of cores    No. of threads
                         processors     per platform     per platform
                        per platform
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Processor 2.80 GHz           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 512       Up to 1024       Up to 2048
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The new dual-core Intel Xeon processor runs at 2.80 GHz with an 800 MHz system bus and 2 MB of Level 2 cache per core and will use the Intel(R) 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(R) 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 3.0 GHz and includes a new chipset, the Intel(R) E8501, to support an 800 MHz system bus and support for the existing Intel(R) 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.(2) 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(R) Itanium(R) 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 2.80 GHz is available for $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.

(1) 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 3.60 GHz 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. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.) New configuration: IBM eServer xSeries 346 Server platform with two Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors 2.80 GHz with 2x2MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz system bus, 4 GB 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.

(2) Performance gain based on Intel internal measurements of Java Performance. Baseline Intel Server platform contains four 64-bit Intel Xeon Processors MP 3.33 GHz 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.) [phone] or [phone].

Note to Editors: A photo of a dual-core Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor is available via the Associated Press Photo Network and on the Internet at Feature Photo Service's link through http://www.newscom.com.