DailyTech - New Intel Xeon Steppings on the Way

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Hardware New Intel Xeon Steppings on the Way
Anh Tuan Huynh (Blog) - June 11, 2007 3:30 AM

10 comment(s) - last by 16nm.. on Jun 11 at 8:13 PM

Intel Xeon 5100 and 5300 receive minor enhancements

Intel has issued a new product change notification (PDF), or PCN, to partners in regards to dual and quad-core Xeon stepping changes. The stepping change brings the dual and quad-core Intel Xeon 5100 Woodcrest and 5300 Clovertown processors to stepping G0. G0 introduces energy efficiency and virtualization enhancements.

Stepping G0 reduces power consumption during C1E halt states. Intel does not state how much less power stepping G0 processors consume in idle states except “some amount.” Intel improves VT technology in stepping G0.

The enhancements include:

APIC Task Priority Register (TPR) Virtualization
NMI-window exiting
Advanced VM-exit information for INS & OUTS

All stepping G0 processors will receive new CPUIDs. The Clovertown CPUID will change from 06F7 to 06FB while Woodcrest changes from 06F6 to 06FB. Stepping G0 processors will also receive new SSPEC numbers.

Stepping G0 processors will require a BIOS update with new microcode for proper identification. However, with the proper microcode update, users should be able to mix and match processor steppings in multi-processor configurations.

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Is this a response to AMD?

By crystal clear on 6/11/2007 10:51:48 AM , Rating: 2

Description of Change to the Customer:
The Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® processors X5355, E5345, E5335, E5320, E5310, L5320, L5310 (Clovertown) will convert from B-3 to G-0. The Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® processors 5160, 5150, LV 5148, 5140, 5130, LV 5138, 5120, LV 5128, 5110 (Woodcrest) will convert from B-2 to G-0. Woodcrest and Clovertown will undergo the following changes as they convert to G-0:

•Enhanced Virtualization Technology
• APIC Task Priority Register (TPR) Virtualization
• NMI-window exiting
• Advanced VM-exit information for INS & OUTS

Is this a response to AMDs I/O Virtualization Technology Specification?

"AMD Announces Update to Its I/O Virtualization Technology Specification"

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Corporate/VirtualPressRoo...

RE: Is this a response to AMD?

By tehfire on 6/11/2007 11:22:36 AM , Rating: 2

Intel routinely tries to tweak its processes for better yields. I believe this is just that - and they are notifying their partners that they've changed the stepping for better yields and small gains in a few areas.

If it doesn't cost anymore, why not?

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