Sun Introduces Quad-Core Intel Xeon Processor-Based Systems

By DE Editors

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) introduced its first quad-core x64 (x86, 64-bit) systems, including a four-socket x64 server, which delivers up to twice the expandability and compute power as other servers, yet is half the size. Sun calls it “the world's smallest enterprise-class four-socket server.”

Sun Fire X4450

Sun Fire X4150

The Sun Fire X4450 and Sun Fire X4150 servers, powered by Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor series 7300 and 5300, respectively, enable customers to solve critical problems in the datacenter by offering more performance, higher density, and better power efficiency than competitive systems in the market today.

Both servers give customers a choice of operating systems, running the Solaris Operating System (OS), Windows, Linux, or VMware, with the flexibility to deploy a broad range of applications.

The Sun Fire X4450 server, powered by the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor 7300 series, is the first and only four-socket quad-core system in a 2U form factor on the market from a tier-one vendor, according to the press release. Said to be the best four-socket x64 server in terms of performance, density, and power efficiency, it offers up to twice the compute power and memory capacity, and as much as 50 percent lower energy consumption, than competitive servers, lowering both energy and cooling costs.

The Sun Fire X4150 server, powered by the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor 5300 series, is a two-socket 1U system with up to twice the memory capacity, internal storage, and networking connectivity as competitive two-socket 1U servers. With more than 1 terabyte of high-performance internal disk storage, the Sun Fire X4150 server is a solution for horizontal database and other disk-intensive applications.

"The Sun/Intel alliance, though less than one year old, has already produced results, such as the Sun Blade 6000 modular system and the Sun Fire servers being announced today," said Patrick Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Digital Enterprise Group. "Sun is expanding its Intel architecture-based systems line by leaps and bounds, due in large part to its systems innovation and engineering creativity with Intel Xeon processors."

The Sun Fire X4450 and Sun Fire X4150 servers incorporate new, innovative design principles in a shared chassis design for maximum compute density, leading storage capacity, embedded system management, built-in virtualization support, and investment protection. The new chassis design, optimized for cooling and power efficiency, offers industry-leading energy efficiency and performance in a small form factor.

"These new quad-core servers offer world-class performance, unmatched density and expandability, and an energy-efficient design that is much more advanced than anything from our competitors," said John Fowler, executive vice president of Sun Microsystems' Systems Group. "With a choice of operating systems and the ability to run a broad range of applications, they can truly operate as a universal platform."

The Sun Fire X4450 server’s entry-level pricing starts at $8,895 (US); for more information on the Sun Fire X4450, visit www.sun.com/X4450.

The Sun Fire X4150 server’s entry-level pricing starts at $2,995 (US); for details on the X4150, visit www.sun.com/X4150.

For more information on the Sun and Intel alliance, please visit www.sun.com/intel.

To visit Sun Microsystems, Inc., go to http://sun.com.