* Intel’s latest Xeon processor runs at 3.2 GHz
Intel last week unveiled a Xeon processor for use in dual-processor servers and workstations that’s faster than previous models.
Part of the Prestonia family, the new Xeon operates at 3.2 GHz and features 1M byte of L3 cache and a 533-MHz system bus. Intel says it is designed for servers that are used for Web hosting, caching, streaming media and load balancing. In workstations, Intel says it would be best used in those that perform financial analysis, 3-D modeling and digital content creation.
The 3.2-GHz Intel Xeon processor may be the last of Intel’s processors to use 130-nanometer technology. The company is migrating to 90-nanometer technology next year with a chipset codenamed Nocona. A chipset called Jayhawk will follow.
The new processor, which works with Intel E7501 server chipsets, Intel PRO Gigabit Ethernet connections and RAID controllers, is faster than Intel’s fastest Xeon to date, which operates at 3.06 GHz.
Later this year, Intel will also release a four-processor Xeon chipset codenamed McCarran.
The 3.2-GHz Xeon will compete with AMD’s 64-bit Opteron 246. The 246, which sells for $794, has 1M byte of L2 cache.
Vendors such as server blade manufacturer Egenera have introduced servers based on the 3.2-GHz Xeon.
The processor is $851 in 1,000-unit quantities.
