Intel leapfrogs AMD with 6 core processor
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Intel has announced it’s 6 core Xeon high performance processors based on it’s 45 nm process technology. The Intel® Xeon® Processor 7400 Series, code-named Dunnington, will support up to 6 cores with 16 MB of shared cache memory. The processors come in frequencies up to 2.66 GHz and power consumption as low as 50 watts. The first 6-core, x86 compatible will consume 65-watt of power which makes is just under 11 watts per processor core.
Platform designs based on these processors can have up to 16 processor “sockets” to deliver servers with 96 processing cores!
With the 6 core Xeon’s, Intel has leapfroged AMD. Intel’s Xeon quad-core offerings have already eroded AMD’s server market share. Part of the problem has been AMD’s inability to deliver it’s Barcelona quad core processor on time due to technical snags. AMD had a good run with it’s Opteron processor line, stealing market share from Intel.
AMD’s Shanghai processors are making it out to OEM’s just now and provide a quad core refresh with better L3 cache, not 6 core’s. AMD’s roadmap talks about 6 core CPU’s only around 2nd half of calender year 2009. Intel, by then, may have one more nail ready for AMD’s coffin.
The Xeon® 7400 processor series is compatible with Intel’s existing Xeon 7300 series platforms and the Intel® 7300 chipset, allowing IT departments to quickly deploy the new processor into existing infrastructure. This also will help server manufacturers who won’t have to redesign their hardware. Pricing for the Xeon® 7000 Sequence processors in quantities of 1,000 ranges from $856 to $2,729.
