Intel Double Nehalem for double power

source: theinquirer.net, by: nebojsa novakovic

AS YOU READ THIS, Intel has just announced – finally – its dual processor capable Nehalem-EP (aka Gainestown) line of Xeon 5500 processors, basically the big brothers of the Core i7 with which they share the same LGA1366 package, cooling choices as well as most of the die, with the exception of an added QPI link for the second CPU. Just the same applies for the Tylersburg 36D, (aka i5500) chipset, which is a dual-CPU enabled flavour of Tylersburg36S (aka X58) chipset that you see on all the high-end Core i7 mobos.


The 3.2 GHz W5580 130W TDP CPU is the cream of the crop of the Nehalem line, using the same D0 stepping as the upcoming Core i7 975 CPU. With the D-step improvements, this fast yet power-saving CPU should be able to support the default speed at nearing just one volt, leading to either some lovely power saving or extra overclocking potential once the multipliers are unlocked.

Also, sorry AMD, but now we can say that, in several benchmarks - Sandra CPU included - the dual W5580 actually beats four AMD 2.7 GHz Opteron MP quad cores. In the dual CPU class, in almost any parameter considered apart from large page TLB handling, these dual Nehalems outclass the competition completely: anything from raw integer and FP power, multithread handling, cache and memory latency and bandwidth, you name it. So, AMD really needs that trip to Istanbul for some delicious Turkish fare, my personal favourite, in six-portion servings, I guess.


Interesting, isn't it? Everything is well ahead on the newbie, save the slight drop on the Sandra FP score. Do keep in mind the famous Turbo is on there, so the CPU will actually run at 3.33 GHz most of the time as long as the cooling isn't totally crappy - which Supermicro could have done a bit better anyway, I have to say. Luckily, the 40Kx40K Linpack run did manage to get its 95 GFLOPs net without any heat problems. Also, keep in mind that even the best dual Shanghai memory scores are half of what you see here, while the CPU scores are well behind.

In summary, after these first tests, the winner is clear and AMD has to work triple hard to be back in the running. Actually, Apple should be doing its Mac Pro with the W5580 instead, I'm sure there would be a plenty of Mac fanboys to pay extra - more than the expected OEM price of $3,000 a pop for a pair of these chips - for an Apple-branded uber-Nehalem 3.2++ GHz dualie. And, not to mention the Skulltrail followers... this baby could overclock fabulously if unlocked, another one of my exploits to follow.

The Good
Stunning performance, balanced CPU-memory-I/O design
The Bad
Whenever Intel wins on speed, they need not have the press junkets
The Ugly
It's all good