Intel is gearing up to debut its first ever dual-core processor for servers, and ZDNet UK sister site CNET News.com has learned it's a Pentium.
The chipmaker is expected to announce next week that its Pentium D can now be sold with a new chipset — the Intel E7230 — that has features best suited for entry-level servers.
Code-named Mukilteo, the chipset is the follow-on to Intel's Copper River, which is commonly used in workstations. The E7230 comes with the ability to handle 64-bit operating, advanced dynamic computer memory, faster data transfers via PCI Express and software that emulates storage through RAID arrays.
The chipsets will sell for $36 (£21) apiece when PC makers buy more than 1,000 of them. Pentium D chips retail for $530, $316, $241 in speeds of 3.2GHz, 3GHz and 2.8GHz respectively.
Server manufacturers such as Dell and HP are expected to sell the new Pentium D servers to run simple network server applications such as a Web server or a small database.
Intel has outfitted its desktop warrior Pentium for servers before. Some businesses report having Pentium II and Pentium III machines, but these are still single-core processors.
Intel has 15 dual-core projects under way. However, the company has only two dual-core processors on the market: its Pentium Extreme Edition and the Pentium D.
Intel's traditional server processors are not expected to make a transition to dual core for at least a few more months. Dual-core Itanium server chips are not due to arrive until later this year, and Intel's dual-core Xeon processors are not expected until the first quarter of 2006, company executives have said.
