Apple introduces new Xserve based on Nehalem processor

Jake Widman
Wednesday, 08 April 2009 01:10

Business IT - Technology

Confirming last week's hint on a prematurely posted Web page, Apple today announced an Xserve server based on Intel's new Nehalem server processor.

The announcement touts the new 1U server's improved performance, more efficient and greener design, and flexible storage options.

As far as performance goes, the System Architecture page does an excellent job summarizing and explaining the benefits of the new Intel processor. Apple claims that the new Xserve is up to twice as fast as the previous model, offers more than twice the memory bandwidth, and uses 19 percent less power at idle. Aside from the benefits that come with the Nehalem processor, the new Xserve also sports two 16-lane-wide PCI Express slots -- Apple claims up to twice the I/O bandwidth of existing models -- and a built-in Nvidia GeForce GT 120 graphics card, making it possible to attach a monitor without using up an expansion slot.

As for storage, the unit has three 3.5-inch drive bays and can handle up to 3 TB of internal storage when filled with SATA drives; the bays also support 15,000-rpm SAS drives for faster performance. There's also an option for a 128GB solid-state drive -- installed in its own location, so the three drive bays are still free -- for quick boot times with low power consumption. Another option is a RAID card providing hardware RAID 0, 1, and 5 with 72-hour battery backup.

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