News

New Xeon Has More Cache

• By Scott Bekker
• July 15, 2003

Intel released a new Xeon processor this week for front-end servers and workstations with more on-die cache. The 3.06-GHz Intel Xeon processor with 1 MB of L3 cache complements the Intel Xeon MP processors released earlier this month for four-processor and larger servers.

The new chip for single- or dual-processor systems has a 533 MHz front-side bus, and is drop-in compatible with systems designed for the E7501 server chipset or the E7505 workstation chipset.

Suggested uses for the new chip include general purpose servers for Web hosting, data caching, search engines, security, streaming media and high-performance computing. The Xeon MP processors are designed for mid-tier and back-end applications, including ERP and databases.

The new chip costs $690 each in 1,000-unit quantities, making it the most expensive two-way-capable processor in Intel's lineup. To make way for the new Xeons at the top of the Intel Xeon lineup, Intel cut prices on six other Intel Xeon processors on Sunday by 10 percent to 34 percent.

In early July, Intel refreshed its Intel Xeon MP processor line with new speeds and cache sizes. A 2.8-GHz Xeon MP with 2 MB of cache sells for $3,692, a 2.5-GHz Xeon MP with 1 MB of cache goes for $1,980 and a 2-GHz Xeon MP with 1 MB of cache costs $1,177.