Intel rolls 'Tulsa' processors for servers

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Seeking to make up lost ground in servers, Intel Corp. has unveiled eight new microprocessors, based on 65-nm process technology.

Previously codenamed "Tulsa," the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 7100 series for servers offers up to twice the performance over previous Intel Xeon MP processors. The dual-core processor family also includes lower-power, 95 watt options that reduce associated energy costs, according to Intel (Santa Clara, Calif.).

"Today's introduction continues an historic 'summer of servers' for Intel where we have now delivered a record 23 new processors in three market segments in less than 100 days," said Tom Kilroy, vice president and general manager of Intel's Digital Enterprise Group, in a statement.

Built on Intel's 65-nm manufacturing process, the Dual-Core Intel Xeon 7100 series processors boast more than 1.3 billion transistors and 16-MB of shared cache. Systems scaling to 32 processors will be available.

The Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 7100 series feature Virtualization Technology, which is said to lower the total cost of ownership by assisting with consolidation of different software applications.Servers based on the Dual-Core Xeon 7100 series processors are expected to be available from more than 40 system manufacturers. Prices for the processors range from $856 for the 2.6-GHz chip to $1,980 for the 3.4-GHz part.

Intel is expanding its efforts on the server space for good reason. For some time, the chip giant has been losing market share in the server space to Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

To reverse its misfortunes, Intel recently rolled out its new Woodcrest processor line, based on the Core 2 Duo architecture. The Woodcrest processors are apparently for dual-processor servers, while the Tulsa chips are for high-end systems.

Last month, Intel rolled out 10 microprocessors, including its next-generation, codenamed Conroe and Merom chips for desktops and notebooks, respectively.