Intel ready to launch Nehalem-EX server processors
updated 12:50 pm EDT, Tue May 19, 2009
Nehalem-EX chipsets soon
The next generation of Xeon server processors will be introduced on May 26th, according to an early Intel announcement. The Nehalem-EX series is based on the same platform as Intel's Core i7 chips, but is explicitly intended for high-end server use. Each processor incorporates eight cores, and can be used in multi-socket configurations. New power gates are said to reduce energy consumption, and 16 threads can be calculated simultaneously.
The debut notably follows only weeks after the launch of the first Nehalem Xserves. Apple's options are presently limited to one- and two-socket quad-core configurations, despite the existence of six-core Dunnington chips. Given the company's normal product release schedule, it is likely to be a minimum of several months before Nehalem-EXs are integrated, if ever.
