Intel Unveils Nehalem-EX Octal-Core Server CPU
Intel Nehalem-EX Microarchitecture - Image courtesy: Intel Corp.
According to Intel, the Nehalem-EX will offer up to nine times the memory bandwidth of the previous-generation Intel Xeon 7400 platform with up to double the memory capacity through the use of 16 memory slots per processor socket. The processors will also offer four high-bandwidth QuickPath Interconnect links per CPU to provide significant scalability, from large-memory two-socket systems through eight-socket systems capable of processing 128 threads simultaneously. Scalability beyond eight sockets, up to 32-socket implementations can be achieved.
Intel has a demo of the Nehalem-EX in action processing 128 threads right here.
In the video, Intel's Kennedy Brown and IBM's Kevin Powell show off an 8 socket, 64 core, 128 thread IBM server based on Intel's Nehalem-EX processor churning though a workload that pegs all cores at 100% utilization.
A summary of the Nehalem-EX features and benefits includes:;)
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8-Socket Nehalem-EX Platform Architecture - 64 Cores, 128-Threads, Scalable to 32-Socket;)
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Nehalem-EX Architecture Enhancements Vs. Previous Gen.
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Intel Nehalem Architecture built on Intel’s unique 45nm high-k metal gate technology process
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Up to 8 cores per processor
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Up to 16 threads per processor with Intel Hyper-threading
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Scalability up to eight sockets via Quick Path Interconnects and greater with third-party node controllers
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QuickPath Architecture with four high-bandwidth links
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24MB of shared cache
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Integrated memory controllers
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Intel Turbo Boost Technology
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Intel scalable memory buffer and scalable memory interconnects
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Up to 9x the memory bandwidth of previous generation
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Support for up to 16 memory slots per processor socket
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Advanced RAS capabilities including MCA Recovery
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2.3 billion transistors
The Intel Nehalem-EX is scheduled for production in the second half of 2009, with systems coming from Intel's usual partners in the high-end server space. Intel has not commented on clock frequencies just yet, but if they can come close to existing products, the Nehalem-EX platform could have a major impact on the HPC space, as well as the high-end server market.
