Dell Delivers Quads

By DE Editors

Dell (Round Rock,  TX) introduced PowerEdge servers and Dell Precision workstations equipped with Intel Quad-Core processors on November 8th. Systems equipped with Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors should provide substantial performance increases of multithreaded applications.

When outfitted with quad-core Intel Xeon processors, the two-socket PowerEdge 1900, 1950, 2950, 2900, SC1430 servers as well as the 1955 blade server can rival the performance of Intel dual-core, four-socket systems and deliver up to 63 percent greater performance1 with up to 40 percent enhanced performance per watt while continuing to reduce complexity in the enterprise, according to Dell.

Both the two-socket Dell Precision 690 and Dell Precision 490 desktop workstations can be configured with new Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors. Additionally, the single-socket Dell Precision 390 supports the Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor.

Dell says that the performance of such multi-threaded applications as Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya3D animation, modeling, and rendering components can scale dramatically with the addition of processor cores. When configured with Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors, the Dell Precision 690 and 490 workstations can deliver hardware performance gains of up to 54 percent on multithreaded applications, according to Dell.

Dell, of course, cautions you that actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage, and manufacturing variability. Nonetheless, Dell bases this assertion upon the results of SPECapc 3ds Max rendering benchmark tests run by Dell Labs. The test system was a Dell Precision 690 configured with two 2.66GHz Intel Xeon X5355quad-core (Clovertown) CPUs (8 cores), 4GB DDR2 667MHz dual channel memory, 80GB SATA HDD, NVIDIA Quadro FX3500 graphics board, and Windows XP SP2. The comparison system was an identical Dell Precision 690, except that it was configured with two dual-core 2.66GHz Intel Xeon 5150 (Woodcrest) CPUs. (The SPECapc 3ds Max rendering benchmark test is developed and maintained by Standard Performance Evaluation Corp.)

Dell asserts that the quad-core processor-based platform offers “an ideal choice to capitalize on consolidation and virtualization projects by better balancing capacity demand within the same physical space and price range.” In such a virtualized environment, the new processors on Dell hardware have shown up to a 69 percent performance improvement. In addition, the Dell PowerEdge 1950, 1955, 2900 and 2950 servers with quad-core processors are certified for VMware VI 3 virtualization software.

The Dell Precision 690 and Dell Precision 490 workstations are designed for engineers who work with massive data sets and images, while the 390 seeks to deliver a balance between advanced performance,  scalability, and price.

The Dell PowerEdge 1950, 2900, 2950, SC1430 and 1955 blade servers featuring Intel 5300 series quad-core Xeon processors are available immediately. Prices start at $1,599, $1,599, 1,699, $1,049 and $1,799 respectively. Click here for additional information on PowerEdge servers.

The Dell Precision 690, 490 and 390 leveraging new Intel quad-core processors and certified for most MCAD, CAE, DCC, and GIS applications are also available immediately. Prices for the Dell Precision 390 with the Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor start at $2,213. Dell Precision 690 and 490 featuring Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors start at $2,399 and $2,149, respectively. (For a limited time, purchase includes a 19-inch LCD monitor.)

For more information on Dell Precision workstations, click here. Click here to see DE‘s review of a Core-Duo Dell Precision 690 workstation.

Sources: Briefing with the company, press materials received from the company, and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.