Just last week, Intel launched its
quad-core Kentsfield processors
for the desktop market. DailyTech had
already run a batch
of benchmarks on the processors and they -- as expected -- performed quite
well in multi-threaded applications. Today, Dell is bringing Intel's quad-core
processors to the server and workstation market with new 5300 series quad-core
Xeon processors and the Core 2 Extreme quad-core QX6700 processor.
The Intel Xeon 5300 series processors will be available in
the two-socket Dell PowerEdge 1900, 1950, 2950, 2900, SC1430 and 1955 blade
servers. Dell's Precision 690 and Precision 490 also can be equipped with
quad-core Xeons while the Precision 390 can be equipped with the Core 2 Extreme
QX6700.
Dell claims that its new Xeon 5300 series servers are 63%
faster than dual-core four-socket servers and offers up to a 40% improvement in
performance per watt. Likewise, the Precision 690 and 490 workstations provide
up to a 54% performance increase in multi-threaded applications over comparable
dual-core systems.
"The introduction of quad-core processing enables us to
guide customers more easily than ever to the benefits of a scale-out
architecture, migrating from higher cost systems with four or more sockets used
for enterprise applications to two socket systems with better price/performance
and lower power consumption, and accelerating their ability to take advantage
of this new technology for better business results now and in future
growth," said Brad Anderson, senior vice president, Dell Product Group.
Dell's new quad-core servers are shipping today with the
PowerEdge 1950, 2900, 2950, SC1430 and 1955 equipped with Intel 5300 series
quad-core Xeon processors ringing up at $1,599, $1,599, 1,699, $1,049 and
$1,799 respectively. The Precision 390 starts at $2,213 with a quad-core Core 2
Extreme QX6700 processor, while the Precision 690 and 490 start at $2,399 and
$2,149 respectively.
