Intel Corporation today unveiled several desktop and server processors; the new Intel Core i5 processor family, two new Intel Core i7 processors and the Intel Xeon processor 3400 series.<\/p>\n
These are all based on the Nehalem architecture, and target consumer and entry level server markets. The new features include support for the new Land Grid Array (LGA) 1156 package and socket technology, and a ‘Turbo Boost’ technology designed to increase performance across each core. The new Core i7 processor revisions also support Hyper Threading.<\/p>\n
Consumer level<\/strong><\/p>\n The consumer level processors are a revision of the Nehalem architecture and operate on the new P55 chipset, which essentially integrates traditional northbridge and southbridge functions and utilises a single high speed DMI bus directly to the processor.<\/p>\n Chipset features include: a 16-lane PCI Express 2 graphics port; 8 PCI Express 2.0 x1 Ports (2.5GT\/s); dual graphics card support in a 2×8 configuration; 6 SATA 3 Gb\/s ports providing RAID levels 0\/1\/5\/10; and support for up to 14 USB 2.0 ports.<\/p>\n Entry level servers<\/strong><\/p>\n The new Xeon 3400 and 3420 chipsets target small administrative and centralised server operations. Features include Error Correcting Code memory and RAID 0\/1\/5\/10 for server operating systems.<\/p>\n Intel claims 64 percent more sale transactions and up to 56 percent faster business response time due to the Nehalem architecture and a 32GB memory capacity.<\/p>\n The Xeon L3426 is a low-power variant that Intel claims can deliver up to 188 percent improvement in energy efficiency per dollar over the previous generation Xeon X3380.<\/p>\n