When Intel launched the new Xeon® 5600 processor series in mid-March, it generated the expected banter in the marketplace about who now has the best-performing mainstream server CPU. You can check for yourselves of course, but the overwhelming conclusion has been that it is a processor to be reckoned with and that it sets the new bar for performance. That’s not what I want to write about, though. Yes, processor performance is still one of the most important factors in server decisions, but it is getting harder and harder to find people who evaluate their server CPU on performance alone. We find that our customers increasingly value functionality, and what I mean by that is all the “stuff” that enables them to increase the value they can provide their customers and their companies. So, rather than dwell on the dramatic performance increase – which we think can be as much as 60% (and you can read all about it here and the notes our lawyers made us write) – let me draw your attention to a few things that deliver new capabilities.

Increasing the performance of the CPU is one thing, but being able to deliver that incremental performance while keeping the power consumption at the same level as the previous generation is yet another. The reason Intel is able to do this better than anyone else is because of our obsession with Moore’s Law. We can’t help ourselves – it is a law, and we are law-abiding (and you should be too). We keep refining the process used to make the processor’s silicon so that the circuits get smaller and smaller. We are now at 32nm (that’s nano meters), while the previous generation and most of the industry are using 45nm technology. We go about diligently scanning circuit by circuit looking to get rid of or reduce hot spots, and the result is that we save a pocket full of cash that you or your company would otherwise have paid your local electricity company. The money you save might mean a raise, some extra spending cash or a nice vacation with your wife, spouse, dog or cat. How romantic is that? Won’t your better half think of you as more capable? The next time you hear a server geek say nanometers, think vacation!

Next time I write, you’ll hear about a couple of other cool things you can do with this new processor. For now let’s use code words and call them TXT and AES-NI acceleration. Got that? Feel like James Bond? Good. Enjoy your vacation.

Oh wait, one more thing … If you need servers, ask the guys from The Planet – they know all about this server stuff and how it can help you. I’m told they are friendly too.

Ciao!

-Adarsh Sogal
Intel Corporation

About the Author: Adarsh Sogal is the Marketing manager for Cloud Service Providers in Intel’s Data Center Group. He has been with Intel for 10 years focused on serving the needs of the service providers in Telco, IT Outsourcing, and Hosting market segments from all over the world.