NetBurst for Xeon

Intel just introduced the first Xeon processors based on the NetBurst architecture. The processors will initially ship at frequencies up to 1.7 GHz. Intel says that dual-processor server platforms based on the Intel Xeon processor should be available in the second half of this year, and could be 30% to 90% faster than systems with standard issue Xeons. The NetBurst microarchitecture, based on the 860 Chipset, features dual RDRAM memory banks along with Xeon's 400 MHz system bus. Intel says it provides up to 3.2 GB of data per second. The 1.7 GHz Xeon is priced at $406, the 1.5 GHz version at $309, and the 1.4 GHz at $268 in 1,000-unit quantities. All have 256 kB level 2 Advanced Transfer Cache. As a side note, The Inquirer says that Intel is preparing to spend tens of millions of dollars putting its Xeon and Itanium server message on billboards, magazine pages and Web sites.