Intel Xeon processors boost server performance

Designed for mid-tier and back-end servers, Intel's line of Xeon processor MP operates at 1.4GHz, 1.5GHz, and 1.6GHz, and is claimed to boost server performance by at least 30 percent compared to existing multiprocessing systems using the Pentium III Xeon processor.

On display at CeBIT 2002, the Xeon processor MP implements a cache architecture designed for the company's NetBurst microarchitecture. The new structure offers three levels of integrated cache, including a 1MB Level 3 cache in addition to the 256KB Level 2 cache and 8KB Level 1 cache.

This allows the processor to access frequently used data quickly and improve overall system performance, back-end application performance and decrease response time.

The processors also adopt Hyper-Threading Technology allows an operating system to view a single physical processor as if it were two logical processors, significantly increasing server response time, transactions and workload performance.

The Xeon processor MP at 1.6GHz with 1MB of Level 3 cache is priced at $3,692 in 1,000-unit quantities. The 1.5GHz version with 512KB of Level 3 cache is priced at $1,980, while 1.4GHz version with 512KB of Level 3 cache is priced at $1,177, both in 1,000-unit quantities.