Intel expanded its line of 64-bit microprocessors for the mid-tier enterprise market.
Intel is packaging the new chips as a platform, codenamed Truland. The offerings include five new 64-bit Xeon processor MP (multiprocessor) devices and the E8500 chipset.
It is also working on dual-core Xeon processor MP chips, including codenamed Paxville, which is currently planned for the first quarter of 2006.
The Truland platform combines Intel's Extended Memory 64 Technology, PCI Express, DDR2-400 memory and demand based switching with Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology.
The 64-bit Intel Xeon processor MP platform delivers performance increases up to 70 percent across a range of enterprise and scientific applications over the previous generation of chips, according to Intel.
The platform is available with up to 8-MB of Level 3 (L3) cache. The E8500 chipset has a 667-MHz dual front-side-bus and is designed with 10.6-GBit of system bandwidth.
Price in 1,000 unit quantities, the 333-MHz, 64-bit Intel Xeon processor MP, with 8MB L3 cache, is $3,692. The 3-GHz version is $1,980 in similar quantities. The 2.83-GHz version with 4-MB L3 cache is $1,177.
The 3.66-GHz version with 1-MB L2 cache is $963, while the 3.16-GHz offering is $722.
