Intel introduces Mac Pro-bound Quad-Core chips
Intel Corp. on Tuesday officially introduced its Quad-Core Xeon 5300 and Core 2 Extreme microprocessors, each of which deliver four computing 'brains' inside a single chip.
Quad-Core Xeon 5300
The world's largest chipmaker said the new server-oriented Quad-Core Xeon 5300 offers up to 50 percent faster performance within the same thermal envelope as the previous generation Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series, which launched less than 5 months ago at identical price points.
The new Xeon 5300 series is available at clock speeds ranging from 1.60GHz to 2.66GHz, with front side bus (FSB) speeds ranging from 1066MHz to 1333MHz, and thermal design power (TDP) of either 80 watts or a performance-optimized 120 watt option.
In the first quarter next year, Intel said it will launch two more quad-core Xeon processors -- a low-voltage version for ultra-dense deployments with a TDP of only 50 watts and one designed for single-socket workstations and servers.
Core 2 Extreme
Meanwhile, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker said its new quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700 desktop chip is up to 80 percent faster than its previous Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor X6800. It's available at 2.66GHz with a 1066MHz FSB and runs on Intel's existing 975X Express chipset family.
The company plans to offer a mainstream quad-core processor starting in the first quarter next year under the Intel Core 2 Quad processor brand name.
A new era of performance
"Today's announcement ushers in another new era in computing," said Intel chief executive and company president Paul Otellini. "The capabilities of quad-core microprocessors will bring new possibilities for science, entertainment and business. I'm incredibly proud of what Intel's employees have achieved with these new products."
Intel, which began the transition to multi-core technology 4 years ago, followed with the introduction of the industry's first dual-core PC processors in April last year. It recently refreshed its entire product line by introducing over 40 new processors, including those based on its new Core microarchitecture, a more powerful and energy-efficient design.
Record breaking performance
The company said systems running its latest Xeon chips achieved several new world records for performance, including a SPECjbb2005 score of 210,065, a SPECint_rate_base2000 mark of 200, and a TPC-C benchmark score of 240,737 tpmC at $1.85/tpmC.
Of the two new processors introduced on Tuesday, Apple Computer in the near feature is expected to adopt the Quad-Core Xeon 5300 series to power its most brawny professional workstation thus far: a dual quad-core Mac Pro system, featuring a combined 8 cores of processing power.
Quad-Core Xeon 5300
The world's largest chipmaker said the new server-oriented Quad-Core Xeon 5300 offers up to 50 percent faster performance within the same thermal envelope as the previous generation Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series, which launched less than 5 months ago at identical price points.
The new Xeon 5300 series is available at clock speeds ranging from 1.60GHz to 2.66GHz, with front side bus (FSB) speeds ranging from 1066MHz to 1333MHz, and thermal design power (TDP) of either 80 watts or a performance-optimized 120 watt option.
In the first quarter next year, Intel said it will launch two more quad-core Xeon processors -- a low-voltage version for ultra-dense deployments with a TDP of only 50 watts and one designed for single-socket workstations and servers.
Core 2 Extreme
Meanwhile, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker said its new quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700 desktop chip is up to 80 percent faster than its previous Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor X6800. It's available at 2.66GHz with a 1066MHz FSB and runs on Intel's existing 975X Express chipset family.
The company plans to offer a mainstream quad-core processor starting in the first quarter next year under the Intel Core 2 Quad processor brand name.
A new era of performance
"Today's announcement ushers in another new era in computing," said Intel chief executive and company president Paul Otellini. "The capabilities of quad-core microprocessors will bring new possibilities for science, entertainment and business. I'm incredibly proud of what Intel's employees have achieved with these new products."
Intel, which began the transition to multi-core technology 4 years ago, followed with the introduction of the industry's first dual-core PC processors in April last year. It recently refreshed its entire product line by introducing over 40 new processors, including those based on its new Core microarchitecture, a more powerful and energy-efficient design.
Record breaking performance
The company said systems running its latest Xeon chips achieved several new world records for performance, including a SPECjbb2005 score of 210,065, a SPECint_rate_base2000 mark of 200, and a TPC-C benchmark score of 240,737 tpmC at $1.85/tpmC.
Of the two new processors introduced on Tuesday, Apple Computer in the near feature is expected to adopt the Quad-Core Xeon 5300 series to power its most brawny professional workstation thus far: a dual quad-core Mac Pro system, featuring a combined 8 cores of processing power.
Comments
the Tigerton chips to ship with the Mac Pro before I got an Octo.
You misunderstand what Tigerton is. Tigerton is basically the same processor as Kentsfield and Clovertown, not a next generation chip.
Core 2 Extreme
Meanwhile, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker said its new quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700 desktop chip is up to 80 percent faster than its previous Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor X6800. It's available at 2.66GHz with a 1066MHz FSB and runs on Intel's existing 975X Express chipset family.
The company plans to offer a mainstream quad-core processor starting in the first quarter next year under the Intel Core 2 Quad processor brand name.
*Crosses fingers* Midlevel tower someday! No wammy, no wammy...STOP!
You misunderstand what Tigerton is. Tigerton is basically the same processor generation as Kentsfield and Clovertown, not a next generation chip.
No I think he knows what he's talking about...
Does that mean that this upcoming desktop chip will go right into current macs??
It depends on what you mean by desktop. Only the workstation version of the chip will go into the Mac Pro, which is a lot closer to a workstation class machine than a consumer desktop. The "desktop" version of the chip won't work in any existing Mac.
Well those are conflcting reports?
Is that a question or a statement?
It's not really a conflicting report. Xeon 5300 series chips will work, but desktop chips won't.
Here's the page where Anand has an eight-core Mac Pro:
http://anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2832&p=6
Meanwhile, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker said its new quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700 desktop chip is up to 80 percent faster than its previous Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor X6800. It's available at 2.66GHz with a 1066MHz FSB and runs on Intel's existing 975X Express chipset family.
I was referring to this line I guess
Meanwhile, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker said its new quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700 desktop chip is up to 80 percent faster than its previous Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor X6800. It's available at 2.66GHz with a 1066MHz FSB and runs on Intel's existing 975X Express chipset family.
Core 2 Extreme won't work in any Mac that's currently sold.
Holy Rigamarole!
Have you run out of italian pasta names already?
You misunderstand what Tigerton is. Tigerton is basically the same processor as Kentsfield and Clovertown, not a next generation chip.
Tigerton has two variations that we know of right now. There is a dual core version for dual processor systems, and there is a four core version for single processor systems but it is not the same as kensington, and clovertown. Kensington, and clovertown are 2x2 cores =4 on one die, and tigerton is a 4 cores on one die with a memory i/o controller. Tigerton could be used in an iMac. The processor in the MacPro could be a Tigerton Big brother that allows two independent 4 core tigertons on one mobo which is what I expect because intel is keeping a lid on the dueling for core processor they intend to introduce. Personally I think it will be introduced at MacWorld.
Thats a shame
You're telling me.