Intel Boosts Performance For High-End Servers

New Large Cache Pentium?III Xeon™ Processors Designed for Multiprocessing Systems

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 21, 2001 - Intel Corporation today announced it has begun shipments of its 900 MHz large cache Pentium? III Xeon™ processors. Featuring 2 Megabytes (MB) of "on-die" level-two (L2) cache, the processors deliver new levels of performance for high-end, Intel-based server platforms based on 4 and 8-way multiprocessing systems. More than a dozen server manufacturers worldwide, including Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hewlett Packard, IBM, NEC, and Unisys, are expected to start shipping platforms using the new processor in the first half of 2001.

Depending on applications and configurations, the processor's increased frequency speed combined with its unique cache design boosts overall system performance up to 20 percent* when compared to existing Intel-based large cache platforms. Servers, featuring the 700 MHz Pentium III Xeon processors, currently lead the world in raw performance verses systems based on other proprietary architectures. These systems hold the top four positions in transaction processing performance in the world as measured by the Transaction Processing Performance Council, benchmark C (TPC-C)*.

"The Pentium III Xeon processor is the premier product within the industry, offering customers a choice of OS and applications and record-breaking performance at affordable prices," said Mike Fister, vice president and general manager of Intel's Enterprise Platforms Group. "Combined with the upcoming release of our new Xeon processor family based on the NetBurst™ architecture and our anticipated platform release of the Intel?Itanium™ processor in the second quarter, today's announcement is part of an aggressive plan to continue to introduce powerful and scalable processors for every platform type."

Intel's existing line of server products power all facets of the e-Business data center, from ultra-dense and front-end servers to mid-tier and back-end systems. According to International Data Corporation, Intel-based server shipments made up more than 84 percent of all servers shipped in Q4, 2000. During this same period, Intel-based servers comprised 69 percent of 4-way capable server shipments addressing the mid-tier server segment. In the fastest growing segment of back-end (5-8 way capable servers), Intel-based servers made up 47 percent of unit shipments.

Server Technology Leadership
Intel's high-end Xeon processor family is specially designed to meet the scalability, availability and manageability needs of the server market segment. The 100 MHz system bus, faster clock speeds and larger cache configurations provide headroom for computation and I/O-intensive workloads. The 2 MB Advanced Transfer Cache memory with Advanced System Buffering increases the width of the data pathway to the processors and reduces cache latencies.

The processors are built using the SC330 cartridge, which enables server manufacturers to use existing server platform components for a faster time to market. On-cartridge voltage management and manageability features provide increased system reliability along with remote monitoring and system diagnostic capabilities.

Pricing and Availability
The Pentium III Xeon processors at 900 MHz with 2 MB cache are priced at $3,692 in 1,000-unit quantities.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

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