IDF, Fall 2005: New server processor turns off the heat

 

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By Tim Danton in San Francisco

Posted on 25 Aug 2005 at 00:23

Following yesterday's announcement of a new drive to build power-efficient platforms, Intel today unveiled a new processor for servers: codename, Sossaman. Due in the first half of 2006, it's targeted at rack-mounted and high-density blade servers, where space and cool running are priorities.

Sossaman will be based on Yonah, the dual-core mobile processor revealed yesterday, and will contribute to what Intel claims could be 24 per cent power savings compared to its current generation server platforms. In dollar terms, that's a $100,000 annual saving for enterprises with 500 servers.

The announcement formed part of the keynote from Pat Gelsinger, general manager of Intel's Digital Enterprise Group. Most of his hour-long presentation concentrated on the benefits of Intel's Active Management Technology, with Gelsinger emphasising that many corporations - traditionally resistant to change - had embraced AMT.

He also demonstrated 'business class audio'. 'PSTN [traditional telephone technology] operates at up to 3,400Hz,' said Gelsinger. 'We can do better than that.' After playing two recordings, the auditorium seemed in wide agreement, with so-called Wideband audio operating up to 8,000Hz and offering decidedly clearer sound. Gelsinger also announced that Intel and Skype are collaborating to deliver voice over IP applications.