IBM is taking aim at rival Hewlett-Packard last week with the launch of a new dual-core-capable eServer powered by a mainframe-like architecture and chipset.
VARs said the upcoming eServer xSeries 366, which features the X3 architecture and Hurricane chipset designed for Intel's next-generation 64-bit Cranford processors, provides 38 percent higher performance than previous systems.
Intel, Santa Clara, Calif., plans to roll out the new processors in the next 90 days, and IBM will release the 366, its first four-way server leveraging X3 and Cranford once that technology is available, said Jay Bretzmann, director of eServer products at IBM, Armonk, N.Y.
Solution providers said the performance improvements IBM is promising with the new architecture should give the vendor an edge in the four-way Intel-based server space.
Bob Mickus, Intel product manager at solution provider Paragon Solutions Group, Denver, said IBM has traditionally played second fiddle to HP in this part of the market, which he called the server sweet spot.