As expected, Intel Corporation, the world’s No. 1 chipmaker, on Tuesday added a new Intel Xeon processor-based platform with Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) and reduced power consumption aimed at the storage industry.

“Intel introduced the 64 bit-capable Low Voltage Intel Xeon processor 2.80GHz with 800 MHz system bus, which is aimed specifically at storage applications, such as controllers for storage networks. The new processor features Intel EM64T to extend memory addressability of storage systems beyond 4GB that eliminates performance penalties associated with large storage applications, such as data base programs,” Intel said in its statement.

The new processor also possesses nearly a 50% reduction in energy consumption compared to the non-power-optimized version to mitigate heat-related issues, Intel said, however, it did not specify any precise numbers of the new Intel LV Xeon’s thermal design power. Typical Intel Xeon processors made using 90nm process technology clocked at 2.80GHz – 3.0GHz clock-speed consume about 103W.

The new low-voltage Xeon processor is compatible with 2-way Socket 604 Intel E7520 infrastructure that sports DDR2 400MHz memory and PCI Express interconnect technology, may provides a high-performance platform suited to typically confined, heat sensitive NAS and SAN environments.

“The performance price being paid for the 4GB barrier today is particularly onerous for the storage industry. Extending the capabilities of EM64T to the storage arena will benefit the growing number of storage applications, such as a large database programs. This translates into better overall system performance end-users” said Mike Wall, general manager of the Intel Storage Components Division.

Intel’s previous generation LV Intel Xeon processors worked at 1.60GHz, 2.0GHz and 2.40GHz clock-speeds and used 400MHz Quad Pumped Bus to connect the rest of the system. Intel LV Xeon 1.60GHz chip features core voltage of 1.3V and thermal design power of about 30W. While new – Intel LV Xeon processor 2.80GHz with 1MB cache, EM64T and 800MHz processor system bus – central processing unit brings additional performance and 64-bit capability, it also consumes more energy than predecessors. For 1-way low-power applications Intel also supplies certain versions of the mobile Intel Pentium M CPU.

Intel’s arch-rival AMD also supplies low-power AMD Opteron chips for various markets. AMD’s chips consume 30W or 50W depending on the target market of the product.