Intel launches 64bit extended Xeon server chips

By Alun Williams

Posted on 29 Jun 2004 at 12:41

With its newly announced 'Nocona' Xeon processors - which clock speeds ranging from 2.8 to 3.6GHz - Intel brings 64-bit memory addressing to its 32-bit server processor. The aim is to provide greater support for the high-level number crunching tasks of the workstation market.

As well as the new Extended Memory 64 Technology ('EM64T'), Intel has upped the system bus speed to 800MHz and introduced the E7525 chipset. Formerly codenamed 'Tumwater', this chipset supports the use of PCI Express I/O technology and DDR2 memory. All of which, claims Intel, should reduce system bottlenecks and increase the power delivered to work station systems. Traditional applications in this field include financial and scientific data modelling and analysis, along with high-end multimedia editing.

As for the processors, they also incorporate improvements to Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology for handling multithreaded applications, and there is expanded support for Streaming SIMD Extensions 3 (SSE3) Instructions for thread synchronization for better system responsiveness in areas such as media and gaming.

Intel has also announced that beta versions of its software developer tools, including Intel EM64T support, are now available, with final versions promised for later in the year.

Available immediately, the new Intel Xeon processors run at speeds of 3.60, 3.40, 3.20, 3 GHz, and 2.80 GHz, with pricing at $851, $690, $455, $316, $209, respectively. The 3.60GHz processor is available in limited quantities initially, before production ramps up by the autumn. The price of the E7525 chipset, which is also available today, is $100. All prices are based on 1,000 unit direct orders.

In the coming months, states Intel, two further chipsets will be available: the Intel E7520 and Intel E7320 (formerly codenamed 'Lindenhurst' and 'Lindenhurst-VS,' respectively), along with its IOP332 I/O processor (formerly codenamed 'Dobson').

Recent speculation from Taiwanese PC makers - Intel Nocona foretells 64-bit desktop CPUs? - is that the Nocona processor heralds the arrival of a 64-bit desktop chip. According to the Digitimes report, Intel has a record of developing its chips for Pentium 4 and Xeon processors with the same code and this has led to speculation that Intel may launch a 64-bit desktop-use chip by the end of the third quarter. One for the big Intel Developer Conference in September, perhaps.