x86

Sun releases second version of xVM VirtualBox

Paul Mah — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:10:17 -0400

The second version of xVM's VirtualBox desktop virtualization software has been released. VirtualBox is a general-purpose full virtualizer for x86 hardware that is targeted for server, desktop and embedded use. This open-sourced software supports Solaris OS, OpenSolaris, Windows, Macintosh OS X, and Linux. Sun claims that it is finding traction, especially among Apple Macintosh users. According to the Steve Wilson, VP of xVM at Sun, "VirtualBox has deep integration with the Mac operating system's approach to networking." Round the clock support for VirtualBox is available for enterprise customers. Alternatively, you can download the code here, or visit its website for more information.

To read up more about this story:
- check out this InformationWeek article

AMD unveils low-powered Opterons

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Advanced Micro Devices Inc., has unveiled five low-power quad-core server processors, hoping to attract the attention of IT executives concerned about power efficiency and conservation.

The x86 Opteron HE processors are designed to run in a 55-watt ACP thermal envelope and are available in the 2300 and 8300 series product lines for two, four and eight-way rack servers and blades.

"The issue around power efficiency and power consumption has really been gaining a lot of forward momentum in the server and data center space," said Charles King, an analyst at Pund-IT Inc., in Hayward, CA.

For more on the next generation of processors:
- see this ComputerWorld.com article

Intel and AMD quads go head-to-head

Mehan Jayasuriya — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:46:08 -0400

Benchmarking is a common ritual in CPU geek circles, but it's not that often that you see two brand-spanking-new slabs of silicon put to the test, side-by-side, in a battle royale of processing. However, that's exactly what ExtremeTech has done, testing the AMD Phenom X4 9850 and the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 simultaneously, and comparing the results. On the surface, the two chips have a lot in common: both sport four processor cores, clock in at 2.5Ghz and are aimed at the high-end workstation and x86 server markets. Intel's offering, however, is manufactured using a 45nm process, while AMD's uses the older 65nm process. Overall, it looks like the Phenom X4 has the edge in price and heat production, while the Core 2 Quad takes the cake in terms of performance. "We're looking forward to the day [AMD] can start shipping CPUs built on 45nm," ExtremeTech writes. "For now, however, Intel continues to dominate in CPU performance in both high end and mainstream CPUs."

For more on the CPU showdown:
- see this ExtremeTech article

MacBook Pro: fastest Vista notebook ever?

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:59:54 -0400

After our article last year on whether Apple notebooks are cheaper that Dells, I'm almost afraid to report on a piece of obvious fanboy bait like this. Then again, it's not like I'm gonna keep a ticking time bomb of this caliber from you while the rest of the Internet eats it up. So here it is: PC World tested a slew of x86 laptops this year and decided to announce the best of the year, including which model ran Windows Vista the fastest. Guess what? The winner was the 17" MacBook Pro with a 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo. "The fastest Windows Vista notebook we've tested this year--or for that matter, ever--is a Mac," PC World writes "Not a Dell, not a Toshiba, not even an Alienware." Now, before you shout out "Bogus!" let me get to the specifics of the test: PC World used WorldBench 6 Beta 2 to determine which machine came out on top and the MacBook Pro scored a benchmark score of 88--just one point higher than Gateway's E-265M. Got something to say? Sound off in the comments but please folks, try to keep it civil, eh?

For more:
- see this PC World article

Sun shows off 16-core Barcelona server

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:59:59 -0400

Well, what did we tell you? Right on schedule, Sun has revealed a server running on 16 Opteron Cores (that's four Quad-Core Opteron "Barcelona" chips, mind you) that's built on a compact 2U chassis. The four-socket server also packs dual TCP-offloading-enabled gigabit NIC cards, redundant power supplies, support for RAID up to level 6 and 32 DIMM slots for up to a whopping 256 GBs of RAM. How did they cram all of that into a 2U case? Half of the memory and CPUs are stacked on top of the other half--making for a striking internal design. "So far, no other Server vendor has attempted to squeeze this many goodies in to a 2U chassis," ZDnet's George Ou said.

Apparently, Sun expects that innovative server designs such as these will help the company gain traction in the x86 server market. At the AMD launch event, Sun CEO Jonathan Swartz announced the company's intention to "take over 4th place in the x86 Server Market"--not too shabby for a company that's only been at it for two years.

For more on the new servers:
- see this ZDnet article

Sun to resume sales of Intel Xeon-based servers

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:01:37 -0500

It looks as if the Intel/AMD server wars of years past have finally been resolved. While the past few years have found the four tier-one server manufacturers switching between x86 chips from the two manufacturers, it appears as if a consensus has finally been reached: why not use both? Sun Microsystems has announced that it will become the last of the tier-one manufacturers to sell both AMD and Intel-based servers, by adding Intel-based machines back to its lineup. Sun stopped selling servers containing Intel parts in 2005 but stated at the time that it would resume sales if there was sufficient customer demand, a promise that the company apparently kept. "This is a market-changing event," said Sun Chief Executive Jonathan Schwartz. "It totally changes the perspective a customer has on how they can do business with Sun and how they can do business with Intel."

For more on the announcement:
- see this CNET article

Three new Intel quad-cores hit the streets

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:01:38 -0500

As expected, Intel has released three new quad-core parts, all of which should be available now. While the Core 2 Quad 6600 is aimed squarely at the desktop, I know that you could care less about that. What you're interested in is Intel's love for the low-end server, which comes in the form of two new Xeons--the 2.13GHz 3210 and the 2.4GHz 3220. Both chips boast a 8MB cache and a 1066MHz front-side bus. If you've got single-processor, x86 servers in house, these new Xeons may be just what the doctor ordered.

For more on the new Xeons:
- see this CNET article

Quad-core chips will return disappointing sales results

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 19:01:37 -0500

Seeing how my first two predictions were fairly safe, I'm going to go out on a limb here and throw in my two cents on the core war. Both AMD and Intel are gearing up for 2007 to be the year of four cores but if you ask me, it's not gonna happen. Both companies saw dual-core parts move huge numbers this past year but I doubt they'll be able to duplicate that success with quad-core chips. It's going to be a few more months until we start seeing the first "native" quad-core chips (with all four cores on one die) and when they finally do debut, they'll be prohibitively expensive. And without a 64-bit OS and multithreaded apps, most users won't be able to reap the full benefits of four cores. Sure, quad-core chipsets will have their place--in x86 servers and high-end graphics workstations, for example--but they won't make the same mass-market splash that dual-core chips did.

SPEC subgroup to test virtualization speeds

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 19:01:37 -0500

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fastest of them all? Actually, you know what, mirror? You're not quite as accurate or as objective as you used to be. I mean sure, if I'm asking about Snow White or something you're still the resource. But when it comes to virtualization, I'm not quite sure that you're as on top of the game. So don't take this too hard, but I think I've found someone else who I might ask: a subgroup of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corp. (SPEC) that will focus on virtualization. As I'm sure you know, virtualization is becoming increasingly popular on x86-based servers, using products like VMware's ESX Server, XenSource's XenEnterprise and Microsoft's Virtual Server. SPEC's new subgroup will test the speed of these products while performing common tasks. And check out who has already signed up for the subgroup: AMD, Intel, Dell, HP, IBM, Sun, Fujitsu Siemens and VMware. I agree, it's all very exciting, but the benchmarks probably won't be out for quite a while. Until then, could you just tell me who's the fairest of them all again?

For more on the subgroup:
- see this ZDnet article

Gateway debuts AMD-based servers

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 19:01:35 -0500

Jumping on the AMD-based server bandwagon, Gateway announced at VMworld in Los Angeles that they too would begin selling x86 servers sporting AMD chips. The new rackmount servers are the 1.75-inch-thick E-9422R (base price of $1,799), the 3.5-inch-thick E-9522R ($1,849) and a 5.25-inch-thick, four-processor E-9722R (price TBA). All of the new servers will be based on AMD's Opteron processors.

For more on Gateway's new servers:
- see the article from CNET