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Processors 
Intel E5-2600 Series "Sandy Bridge-EP" Xeons
Posted by: Hooz on: 03/06/2012 06:17 PM [ Print | 1 comment(s) ]
Today marks the launch of the latest in Intel's Xeon family of processors, the Sandy Bridge-EP based E5-2600 series. The new Xeons make a splash with more cores, more cache and a host of other cool, new features, but how will they stack-up against the current king-of-the-hill, the Westmere-EP based 5600 series Xeons? I put a pair of E5-2687Ws up against a pair of X5690s to see how things would shake out.
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Intel 7500 Series "Nehalem-EX" Xeons
Posted by: Hooz on: 03/30/2010 11:01 PM [ Print | 9 comment(s) ]
Intel is busy refreshing their whole workstation/server Xeon processors these days. A few weeks ago it was 5600 series Westmere-EP for the 2-socket crowd and today they are releasing the new 7500 series Nehalem-EX for the 2-socket and more crowd. Sporting eight Nehalem based cores and 24mb of L3 cache per processor, the 7500 series Xeon should prove to be a computational powerhouse!
Our test system today is a 4-way capable Dell PowerEdge R810 packing a pair of X7560 Xeons (running at 2.26ghz), 128gb of DDR3 and a whole host of other cool new features that will make your head spin.
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Our test system today is a 4-way capable Dell PowerEdge R810 packing a pair of X7560 Xeons (running at 2.26ghz), 128gb of DDR3 and a whole host of other cool new features that will make your head spin.
Read article
Intel 5600 Series "Westmere EP" Xeons
Posted by: Hooz on: 03/16/2010 09:11 PM [ Print | 3 comment(s) ]
Intel's new "Westmere EP" based Xeon offers quite a few enhancements over the previous generation "Nehalem EP" core. More cores and new instructions are the obvious additions, but is there more to it than that? Let's pop the hood on a shiny new pair of X5680 Xeons and find out.
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Read article
Nehalem: Xeon Gets Core i7 Upgrade
Posted by: Hooz on: 03/30/2009 08:00 PM [ Print | 11 comment(s) ]
We've all read the rumors circulating the 'net about Intel's latest and greatest Xeon based on the Core i7 (Nehalem) architecture. The time has finally come for putting the rumors and speculation to rest and see how it actually performs!
I had the opportunity to put a dual Xeon W5580 system through its paces, and I came away VERY impressed. Now (finally) you can read what has got people buzzing by clicking right here.
I had the opportunity to put a dual Xeon W5580 system through its paces, and I came away VERY impressed. Now (finally) you can read what has got people buzzing by clicking right here.
New "Eco-Friendly" Xeons
Posted by: Hooz on: 09/08/2008 12:38 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
I was hoping to have my review online for you all this morning, but some nasty Microsoft Exchange issues had me busy working all weekend instead. So, I guess all you get for today is a nice press release and a link.
I have a pair of the new L5430s and a pair of the X5492s in for testing, so stay tuned.
| SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 8, 2008 â?? Intel Corporation continues to expand its 45-nanometer (nm) manufacturing chip portfolio with the launch of its first four halogen-free Intel® Xeon® processors, signaling another step in Intel's march toward minimizing the environmental footprint of its products. The chips reach new heights in performance and energy efficiency. Much of the energy efficiency these new processors provide comes from Intel's advanced 45nm manufacturing capability and its reinvented transistors that use a Hafnium-based high-k metal gate formula. In addition, all previously launched versions of the Intel Xeon 5200 and 5400 series will now be halogen-free. The processors are drop-in compatible with existing Intel dual processor platforms that have been in the market since 2006. The Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5400 Series consists of the new X5492, X5470 and L5430 processors, the fastest of which boasts a clock speed of 3.4GHz. The low voltage version uses only 50 watts of power or just 12.5 watts per core. The Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor X5270 runs as low as 80 watts with frequencies as high as 3.5 GHz. Organizations using workstation, high-performance, blade and mainstream servers will benefit most from this increased versatility. Recent benchmark results on these processors show that Intel continues to deliver higher performance within the same power envelope with each Xeon® processor advancement. On the SPECint*_rate2006, which measures Integer throughput performance, a SuperMicro SuperServer 6025B-TR+ server running the X5470 processor sets a world record1 with a score of 150. A Fujitsu-Siemens PRIMERGY RX200 S4 server using the X5470 processor running SPECjbb*2005 benchmark extends Intel's lead on Oracle JRockit® JVM with a score of 316,728 BOPS. "Intel continues to expand our R&D efforts in eco-innovation while delivering unmatched versatility and performance," said Kirk Skaugen, vice president and general manager of Intel's Server Platforms Group. "Customers using these new Xeon processors will not only benefit from greater performance and energy efficiency within existing platforms, but they will be the very first to use Intel's halogen-free technology." A number of systems vendors are supporting these new processors including Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, Fujitsu-Siemens, Gigabyte, HP, IBM, Microstar, NEC, Quanta, Rackable Systems Inc., Sun Microsystems, Supermicro, Tyan and Verari Systems. The new 5400 series processors are available now, while the X5270 will be available this fall. |
Harpertown Around the 'Net
Posted by: Hooz on: 09/19/2007 01:45 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
Intel's new 45nm Xeons, codenamed Harpertown, made their debut yesterday afternoon and a few reviews have popped-up around the 'net. You can find coverage at Tech Report, Anandtech, Hexus, The Inquirer and TecChannel (German).
Of course, you can get to our own review by clicking right here.
Of course, you can get to our own review by clicking right here.
Harpertown: New 45nm Xeons from Intel
Posted by: Hooz on: 09/18/2007 10:00 PM [ Print | 1 comment(s) ]
Today marks the launch of Intel's new, improved Xeons, codenamed Harpertown. Harpertown is a member of the Penryn family. Penryn is a multi-core processor based on an industry leading 45nm manufacturing process. A die-shrink really is a wonderful thing. It allows the chip designers to do all sorts of neat things to their processors. They can lower the voltage (indirectly decreasing power consumption and subsequently generated heat), add cache, tweak the pipelines, or, in the case of Penryn, all of the above.
Click here to read more.
Click here to read more.
Penryn Benchmarks
Posted by: Hooz on: 04/18/2007 03:17 PM [ Print | 1 comment(s) ]
Intel has been busy pimping their Penryn processors at IDF in Beijing, and it was only a matter of time before they broke-out the benchmarks. Legit Reviews and HEXUS have posted some of the numbers for your perusal (Although HEXUS' site is down at the moment).
Be sure to hit the HEXUS link when it comes back online... You'll get to see a dual-core Penryn beating-up on a quad-core Core 2 in a couple tests.
Be sure to hit the HEXUS link when it comes back online... You'll get to see a dual-core Penryn beating-up on a quad-core Core 2 in a couple tests.
New Generation Xeons Appear
Posted by: Hooz on: 04/17/2007 06:31 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
The Inquirer has posted some Penryn/Stoakley information gleaned from the Spring '07 IDF. Among the juicy bits, Stoakley is sporting dual FSB1600 and dual PCIe x16 slots, via the Seaberg chipset.
| And, that includes the first working dual-socket, dual-FSB workstations based on the new Stoakley platform, using the FSB1600 Seaberg chipset, a follow-on to the Greencreek. Oh yes, at least two of them ran Penryn-based successors to the current Clovertown quad-core CPU. The systems (two Intel white / black boxen and two HP xw8600 workstations) ran various apps including 3-D CAD on dual-screen HP setups. I checked one of the machines, and the Properties in My Computer tab gave me this (see photo): 3.2 GHz Pentium III Xeon. Interesting, how it identifies the true roots of Core 2 design, some would say... |
New 50w Quad-core Xeons
Posted by: Hooz on: 03/12/2007 05:57 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
Today, Intel has released a pair of new low(er) power Xeons. The new Xeon L5320 (1.86ghz) and L5310 (1.6ghz) both feature a full 8mb cache and 1066mhz FSB.
The launch prices aren't too far of of the comparable "regular" quad-core Xeons, especially considering the 30w difference in power draw and associated reduction of generated heat.
| Intel is introducing two low-voltage processors: the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor L5320 and L5310. The new 50-watt quad-core processors operate at 1.86 GHz and 1.60 GHz, respectively, feature a unique 8 megabytes (MB) of on die cache for faster memory data communication and run on dedicated 1066 MHz front side buses. In 1,000 unit quantities the L5320 is priced at $519 and the L5310 at $455. These processors can be coupled with Intel's existing "Bensley" server platform and have been designed to be "drop-in" compatible with the existing Dual-Core and Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor families. |
Intel pulls in 45nm production
Posted by: Hooz on: 02/22/2007 01:58 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
According to the Inq, Intel is pulling in their 45nm production by a pretty significant margin. So significant in fact, that they are rumored to be releasing a Clovertown LV (low voltage) chip at 50 watts in two weeks time, and Penryn based processors in the second half of this year. That's more than one full quarter ahead of schedule!
AMD makes bold quad-core claims
Posted by: Hooz on: 01/25/2007 12:50 PM [ Print | 4 comment(s) ]
After years of trying to play catch-up with rival chip maker AMD, Intel ended-up winning the race to release a quad-core processor. AMD is now playing a bit of catch-up of their own, and, on the cusp of releasing their own quad-core chip, they are tooting their horn a bit.
AMD has taken a different approach to quad-core by opting to use a monolithic chip design. If their approach will really be that much better than Intel's remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure... Performance-hungry consumers have some exciting times coming very soon.
| After years of being outplayed by AMD, Intel beat its rival to the punch by releasing its quad-core Xeon 5300 "Clovertown" processor for servers in November. But AMD's "Barcelona" quad-core chip, due to arrive midway through 2007, will be a significant notch faster than the Clovertown chips expected to be on the market at that time, said Randy Allen, AMD's corporate vice president for server and workstation products. "We expect across a wide variety of workloads for Barcelona to outperform Clovertown by 40 percent," Allen said. The quad-core chip will also outperform AMD's current dual-core Opterons on "floating point" mathematical calculations by a factor of 3.6 at the same clock rate, he said. |
AMD's 65nm Athlon 64 X2 Processors @ TR
Posted by: Hooz on: 12/20/2006 03:49 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
Scott "Dr. Damage" Wasson from the Tech Report has posted his look at AMD's new 65nm Athlon 64 X2 processors. While the die-shrink hasn't done anything to increase performance, it seems to have (pretty dramatically) helped in the power consumption department.
Using the A64 X2 5000+ as an example shows that the new 65nm parts use a few watts (~3) less at idle, and a substantial amount (~15) under load. With the overall performance being equal, the performance-per-watt looks to have gotten a nice shot in the arm.
| Our aim in the following tests is two-fold: to determine how much the conversion to 65nm has affected the energy efficiency of the Athlon 64 X2, and to see how much overclocking headroom these new parts have. We're not really testing performance today, so consider this a down payment on a future CPU comparo that has performance in its scope. |
AnandTech: Socket-F Opteron vs. Woodcrest Xeon
Posted by: Hooz on: 12/18/2006 02:14 PM [ Print | 2 comment(s) ]
AnandTech has just posted a nice comparison of Woodcrest Xeons and Socket-F Opterons running the typical AT suite of database tests. Much like Tech Report's article from the other day, AMD supplied close to identical Socket-F Opteron and Woodcrest Xeon machines for the testing.
Jason and Ross kept their tests consistently dual-core across both platforms, comparing Opteron 2218 (Socket-F 2.6ghz), Opteron 285 (Socket 940 2.6ghz), and Woodcrest 5150/5160 (2.66ghz/3.0ghz). Just as I said about TR's review, this one is a must read!
| We first started contacting AMD for a Socket-F platform a few weeks before its release date. Typically, when we receive a platform from AMD, it consists of a couple of CPUs, a main board and some memory. This time around AMD decided to send full platforms from a vendor called Colfax (one of AMD's solutions partners). Note that we used the plural of platform: AMD made a fairly bold move and sent a Woodcrest system as well. Both of the systems were configured identically: same case, power supply, hard drives, DVD-ROM and cooling (minus the CPU fans). |
TR Tests Clovertown
Posted by: Hooz on: 12/15/2006 05:04 PM [ Print | 4 comment(s) ]
Tech Report has posted their look at Intel's quad-core 5300 series Xeons. The review is especially interesting, since they are one of the few sites out there who actually have a Socket F Opteron system for comparison. As such, their performance/watt conclusions are much different than what we've been seeing in other reviews, including my own Clovertown review.
This article is definitely worth a look!
| This article grew out of several different sets of plans, and fortunately, those things have at last converged in a pleasant manner. When AMD's Socket F Opterons debuted, we asked AMD for some of these new chips for review. They responded by issuing a sort of power-performance challenge: they would be willing to loan us a pair of servers, one based on the new Opterons and another on Intel Woodcrest Xeons, if we would be willing to test them head to head for both performance and power efficiency. The servers were to come from an actual server OEM and be identically configured with the necessary exceptions of the CPUs, motherboard, and memory. |
AMD 4x4, Intel Core 2 Quad Compared!
Posted by: Hooz on: 11/29/2006 02:49 PM [ Print | 16 comment(s) ]
If pictures are worth 1,000 words, then the language barrier shouldn't change the impact of these benchmark graphs. Impress has pitted AMD's new 4x4 (3ghz) setup against Intel's Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (2.67ghz) in a variety of tests, and the results are eye-opening.
All of their results are, um, interesting, but pay special attention to the very last graph on the page (Power Consumption).
All of their results are, um, interesting, but pay special attention to the very last graph on the page (Power Consumption).
Processor Supply to Increase in November
Posted by: Hooz on: 11/27/2006 07:49 PM [ Print | 2 comment(s) ]
According to this post at DigiTimes AMD and Intel have stated that their respective processor shortages should ease-up in "late November".
| The Chinese-language Apple Daily cited distributors as saying there is still no breakthrough in AMD CPU supply and motherboard makers as noting the Intel CPU shortage seems going to ease. Motherboard makers indicated that both Intel and AMD informed them the tight CPU supply is expected to ease in late November, the paper said. |
More Clovertown News/Reviews
Posted by: Hooz on: 11/16/2006 02:37 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
I meant to do this yesterday, but my wife has found another "home improvment project" that seems to be occupying my evenings this week. Anyway... My Clovertown review wasn't the only one posted yesterday.
David Kanter has posted his look at Intel's new quad-core Xeon as well. He tweaked SPECjbb more than I did, and the numbers he got were pretty amazing.
Also in the C'town vein is Tech Report's "first look" article. They don't have any performance numbers (yet), but there is some good information there about the 5300 series Xeons, chipsets, snoop filters, etc.
David Kanter has posted his look at Intel's new quad-core Xeon as well. He tweaked SPECjbb more than I did, and the numbers he got were pretty amazing.
Also in the C'town vein is Tech Report's "first look" article. They don't have any performance numbers (yet), but there is some good information there about the 5300 series Xeons, chipsets, snoop filters, etc.
Intel Quad-core: Clovertown Performance Reviewed
Posted by: Hooz on: 11/20/2006 07:16 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
Quad-core. That sounds pretty straight-forward. "Quad" means four and "cores" means, well, cores. It seems simple enough, but apparently it depends on who you ask.
Today is the official launch day for Intel's new "quad-core" server and workstation processor, codenamed "Clovertown". Clovertown is the first "quad-core" processor that is available for dual socket systems, although some people would have you believe that Intel didn't really make a "quad-core" processor. Much the same way that they made their original dual-core Xeons and Pentium Ds, Intel has taken two of their current dual-core (Core 2-based architecture) parts, glued them together and stuffed them into a single socket. While it may not be a whole new architecture designed from the ground-up for quad-core use (like Core 2 was for dual-core), it's close enough for me. One socket, four cores. Quad-core. And, perhaps most importantly, it's available for purchase today!
Let's see how it performs!
Today is the official launch day for Intel's new "quad-core" server and workstation processor, codenamed "Clovertown". Clovertown is the first "quad-core" processor that is available for dual socket systems, although some people would have you believe that Intel didn't really make a "quad-core" processor. Much the same way that they made their original dual-core Xeons and Pentium Ds, Intel has taken two of their current dual-core (Core 2-based architecture) parts, glued them together and stuffed them into a single socket. While it may not be a whole new architecture designed from the ground-up for quad-core use (like Core 2 was for dual-core), it's close enough for me. One socket, four cores. Quad-core. And, perhaps most importantly, it's available for purchase today!
Let's see how it performs!
Kentsfield Day!
Posted by: Hooz on: 11/03/2006 03:28 AM [ Print | 1 comment(s) ]
Just in case you missed it, today was official "Kentsfield Day"! You can check all the usual suspects for reviews.
Tech Report
HardOCP
AnandTech
I could go on and on... I'm just tired of typing ;-)
Tech Report
HardOCP
AnandTech
I could go on and on... I'm just tired of typing ;-)
AMD can't make enough chips
Posted by: Hooz on: 10/27/2006 12:05 PM [ Print | 2 comment(s) ]
There was some speculation a few weeks ago about AMD's inability to get their processors into the channel due to the demands of supplying Dell the kind of volume it needs. Today, well, there is more speculation.
| Mercury Research is warning that AMD will have problems shipping its chips for a while. According to News.com, Mercury Research says that AMD is facing a crisis where its overall demand is rising before new manufacturing technologies were completely ready to cope. Perhaps AMD is starting to regret making Dell its 'strategic partner', angering its existing channel and being forced to supply Michael's tin boxes with chips it has not got. The Dell deal, while looking good on paper, is soaking up most of the outfit's capacity. |
Intel in the News
Posted by: Hooz on: 10/12/2006 07:34 PM [ Print | 11 comment(s) ]
While AMD is still moving to 65nm processes for all of their microprocessors, it looks as though Intel plans to be ready with their 45nm process by Q3 '07.
And in other news, Intel is being sued by Transmeta because, in Transmeta's words, "Intel has infringed and is infringing Transmeta's patents by making and selling a variety of microprocessor products including at least Intel's Pentium III, Pentium 4, Pentium M, Core and Core 2 product lines."
That sounds like it could get ugly for Intel. It's also been speculated that, rather than draw out a legal battle or pay a large settlement, it might just be cheaper for Intel to buy Transmeta outright.
And in other news, Intel is being sued by Transmeta because, in Transmeta's words, "Intel has infringed and is infringing Transmeta's patents by making and selling a variety of microprocessor products including at least Intel's Pentium III, Pentium 4, Pentium M, Core and Core 2 product lines."
That sounds like it could get ugly for Intel. It's also been speculated that, rather than draw out a legal battle or pay a large settlement, it might just be cheaper for Intel to buy Transmeta outright.
AMD in the News
Posted by: Hooz on: 10/12/2006 07:23 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
AMD announces "SafeBoot" technology designed to enhance processor compatability with older motherboard BIOS.
Both Dell and Alienware are now offering AMD LIVE! certified systems.
It looks like the Opteron line will be the first to get the quad-core treatment in the second quarter of '07. For those of you not up-to-speed on AMD's quad-core plans, here is a recent refresher.
Last, but certainly not least: Dell's demand for AMD processors might be causing some shortages in distribution channels.
Both Dell and Alienware are now offering AMD LIVE! certified systems.
It looks like the Opteron line will be the first to get the quad-core treatment in the second quarter of '07. For those of you not up-to-speed on AMD's quad-core plans, here is a recent refresher.
Last, but certainly not least: Dell's demand for AMD processors might be causing some shortages in distribution channels.
POWER 6 Details
Posted by: Hooz on: 10/12/2006 01:55 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
It's the fall, so that means it is time for the major designers of processors and other related electronics to converge on Silicon Valley for the In-Stat Microprocessor Forum. IBM's Brad McCredie, who works for the Systems and Technology Group as the chief architect of the future Power6 processor, gave his presentation at the forum, and divulged a lot of the inner workings of the device. There's a lot of stuff in this chip, which is what you would expect from a device with around 750 million transistors.
McCredie reiterated at Microprocessor Forum that the Power6 chip will run in the 4 GHz to 5 GHz clock speed range, which IBM divulged this year--and added that it would be closer to 5 GHz.
More here.
McCredie reiterated at Microprocessor Forum that the Power6 chip will run in the 4 GHz to 5 GHz clock speed range, which IBM divulged this year--and added that it would be closer to 5 GHz.
More here.
IBM's Power7 chip going into Opteron motherboards
Posted by: Hooz on: 09/25/2006 10:40 PM [ Print | 1 comment(s) ]
I'll let the quote (from this article) speak for itself.
And one platform shall rule them all!
| AMD has secured yet another major partner win thanks to Opteron. Starting with the Power7 processor, IBM will give up on making its own Unix/RISC box motherboards. Instead, it will plug the Power chips directly into slightly modified Opteron boards in an effort to save money. Neither IBM nor AMD would comment for this story. Multiple sources, however, did confirm the move in interviews with The Register. IBM and AMD have already signed an agreement around the arrangement. Our sources have also revealed that Sun Microsystems is in discussions with AMD to pursue a similar plan for its UltraSPARC and UltraSPARC T1 processors. |