Intel prepares boxed quad-core "Penryn" based Xeon processors for November 11
Intel has set the launch date for its Penryn based quad-core Xeon processor family. The company intends to launch seven new Harpertown based models ranging from 2.0-to-3.16 GHz on November 11, according to a posting on Intel’s reseller webpage. Standard “E” bin and performance “X” bin processors launch on November 11.
Intel Xeon processors carrying the “E” designation feature 80-watt TDP ratings while the “X” bin processors have higher 120-watt TDP ratings. Intel does not plan to launch the low-power “L” models until Q1’08, with two models in the pipeline.
Strangely, Intel never issued a formal announcement for the launch of Penryn nor has the November 11 date showed up on roadmaps. Instead, the launch date popped up on a public webpage for resellers.
Penryn Quad-Core Xeon DP
|
| Model
|
Core
Frequency | TDP
| L2 Cache
| Launch Price
|
| | X5460 | 3.16 GHz
|
120W | 12MB
| $1,172
|
| | E5450 | 3.00 GHz
| 80W | 12MB
| $851 |
|
E5440
| 2.83 GHz
| 80W |
12MB
| $690 |
| | E5430 | 2.66 GHz
| 80W | 12MB
| $455 |
|
E5420
| 2.50 GHz
| 80W | 12MB
| $316 |
| | E5410 | 2.33 GHz
| 80W |
12MB
| $256 |
|
E5405
| 2.00 GHz
| 80W | 12MB
| $209 |
|
Pricing for Penryn-based Intel Xeon processors begin at $209 for the entry-level E5405 to $1,172 for the top-end X5460. Although Intel set the launch dates for quad-core Xeon based Penryn processors, the company remains silent on the launch date of the desktop and mobile counterparts.
Intel’s Penryn architecture is the next evolution of the Core 2 micro architecture that made its debut with Woodcrest and Conroe processors. Penryn introduces a 45nm fabrication process with a few additional performance enhancements. Most notably, Penryn introduces new SSE4 instructions for enhanced multimedia performance.
|