Intel Next-Generation Xeon Processors Set the World’s Records – Intel

by Anton Shilov
05/31/2006 | 04:31 AM

Intel Corp. last week published its own benchmark results of its next-generation Intel Xeon processor for 2-way servers or workstations and compared the scores against contemporary AMD Opteron and Intel Xeon systems. The platforms running the code-named Woodcrest chips demonstrated higher performance overall and set some world’s records, according to Intel.

Intel said it had published results on “20 key dual-processor (DP) server and workstation benchmarks”. According to the firm, the dual-core Intel Xeon processor 5160 processor (3.00GHz, 4MB unified level-two cache, 1333MHz processor system bus), previously codenamed “Woodcrest” delivers up to 125% performance improvement over previous generation dual-core Intel Xeon processors and up to 60% performance improvement over AMD Opteron products.

“The performance and system-level power consumption we’re seeing from our platforms built around the new Core micro-architecture has exceeded even our expectations. At the same time, customers demand more than just energy-efficient performance. We’ve developed a superior platform that delivers the latest server technologies including faster and more reliable memory, Intel virtualization technology (Intel VT), Intel active server manager and Intel I/O acceleration technology. (Intel I/OAT),” said Kirk Skaugen, vice president and general manager of Intel’s server platforms group.

Intel’s processors based on the Core 2 micro-architecture, such as code-named Conroe, Merom and Woodcrest will utilize a new micro-architecture with shorter pipeline and high performance per clock ratio. The new processors will feature 14-stages pipeline, down from 31 or more stages found in current Intel Pentium (Prescott) designs, 4-issue out-of-order execution engine as well as improved performance of the floating-point unit (FPU). Also, the new chips and platforms on their base will also feature capabilities like virtualization, LaGrande technology, x86-64 in addition to EDB, EIST and AMT2.

Intel will ramp up Woodcrest chips very rapidly. Apparently, its yet-to-be-introduced code-named Dempsey processors, which is based on the NetBurst micro-architecture, will acquire only a little more than 10% of Intel Xeon DP platform sales in Q2 2006. Already in Q3 2006 the Bensley platform that supports Dempsey and Woodcrest will acquire over 60% of shipments as the code-named Woodcrest chips will be featured in little less than 50% of DP server platforms supplied by Intel (which means that Dempsey chips will be used in 10-15% of Xeon DP-based servers only). In Q4 2006 shipments of Intel dual-processor will consist of slightly less than 70% of Woodcrest chips and a little more than 30% of NetBurst-based processors. In Q1 2007 70% of the Intel Xeon DP market will belong to the Woodcrest, 10% will be owned by quad-core Clovertown and 20% will go to the NetBurst micro-architecture-based chips.