Intel advances enterprise platforms from desktop to datacenter

Intel also outlined plans for its next-generation server platforms architected to support dual core processors as the company continues to forge the way to multi-core computing.

"We're intensely focused on delivering platforms that help customers grow their businesses, reduce costs and mitigate risks," said Samir Al-Schamma, General Manager, Gulf Countries, Intel. "With our platform approach, we design and validate products together, enabling us to deliver IT benefits beyond gigahertz to help companies save power and money, increase security and improve productivity. We now have 64-bits from top to bottom in our enterprise platforms, extending the success of our existing platforms in these areas."

"Microsoft and Intel are jointly at the forefront of bringing 64-bit computing to the mainstream," said Eric Rudder, senior vice president of Microsoft's Server & Tools Business. "In conjunction with the upcoming launch of Windows* x64 Editions, Intel's latest refresh of its enterprise platforms, from clients to servers, will provide the broad IT markets with cost-effective 64-bit platforms. Customers will realize powerful, new 64-bit Windows capabilities while maintaining their investment in their 32-bit Windows applications."

Upgraded 64-bit Intel® Xeon™ Processor Follows Record-Fast Ramp
Intel today is shipping an upgraded 64-bit Intel Xeon processor**, codenamed "Irwindale," that includes a beefed-up second level "L2" cache memory reservoir that delivers up to 18 percent greater performance*** compared to the previous version. The excellent scalability of the new 64-bit Intel Xeon processor-based platform is demonstrated by a new one TeraByte TPC-H cluster benchmark result published by IBM* showing a 52 percent improvement*** over previously published results. Strong customer demand led to Intel's fastest ramp ever of an enterprise platform, shipping two million units in approximately eight months.

The new Intel Xeon processor, which is drop-in compatible with the previous Intel Xeon processor, continues to offer power-saving features with Demand Based Switching, enhanced performance and flexibility with support for DDR2-400 memory and PCI Express.

Intel also introduced the Intel® IOP333 I/O storage processor based on Intel XScale® technology, which offers enhanced RAID 6 storage capabilities that protect against dual-disk failures with greater reliability than current methods.

Intel provides system integrators a combination of validated sever components ranging from server boards, chassis, new server technologies, server management and RAID controllers for Intel® architecture-based platforms.

Intel will also shortly introduce the Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 6xx products supporting 64-bits and Hyper-Threading Technology for desktop PCs. These processors and Intel chipsets are packed with entertainment and office features for the consumer and business market segments, illustrating the company's commitment to expanding its focus on platform technologies that deliver greater end-user benefits such as improved power savings, security and performance.

Next Generation -- Architected for Dual-Core
Within 90 days, Intel plans to introduce its Intel® Xeon® processor MP processor-based platform with up to 8 MB of a third-level "L3" cache memory reservoir, codenamed "Potomac." In addition, Intel will enable a category of entry-level four-way server platforms utilizing the new Intel Xeon processor MP with 1MB of L2 cache, codenamed "Cranford."

Architected for dual-core, the platforms will include a 64-bit Intel Xeon processor MP, a faster system bus, support for PCI Express and DDR2-400 Memory and Demand-Based
Switching with Enhanced Intel Speedstep® Technology. The platform will also include the Intel® E8500 chipset, codenamed "Twin Castle," an advanced chipset designed specifically to support dual core processors with a dual bus technology that handles incoming data faster.
Later this year, Intel will deliver thousands of seed systems based on dual core Intel Xeon processors to end-users and software developers for evaluation. Intel is also providing a complete set of software development tools and industry-enabling programs to better help developers and end-users take advantage of the increased performance and throughput that dual core and subsequent multi-core products will offer.