SANTA CLARA, Calif.--Intel Corp. today said it was offering its first generation of the Xeon microprocessors, based on the company's NetBurst architecture aimed at handling video, audio and other advanced Internet technologies.
Intel said the new Xeon processors will initially serve high-performance and mid-range, dual-processor workstations. The central processing units will first be available with chip frequencies up to 1.7 GHz.
According to the company, Xeon-based workstations will achieve performance increases of 30-to-90% over systems based on Pentium III Xeon processor, depending on applications and configurations. Intel said it expects dual-processor server platforms based on the Intel Xeon processor to be available in the second half of 2001.
The new Xeon platform is based on the company's 860 chip set, which supports dual Rambus DRAM memory banks for the processor's 400-MHz system bus. This configuration will provide up to 3.2 gigabytes of data per second, said Intel.
According to Intel, a number of workstation manufacturers worldwide are expecting to chip platforms based on the new Xeon processor in the second quarter. These computer makers include Compaq, Dell, Hewlett Packard and IBM.
In 1,000-unit quantities, the new 1.7-GHzl Xeon processor is priced at $406. A 1.5-GHz version is selling for $309 and a 1.4-GHz Xeon is priced at $268, said Intel. All of these CPUs have 256-kilobyte level 2 Advanced Transfer Cache, said the company.
