The new Intel Xeon E5 Processors, codenamed Sandy Bridge EP, for socket LGA 2011 motherboards are record breaking fast processors. They provide the ultimate solution for workstations, servers and storage; and provides the best combination of performance, capabilities and cost-effectiveness. Using the Intel Xeon E5 processors makes data centers more efficient and flexible.
The Intel Xeon E5 processors can handle any tasks you threw at it, be it for cloud computing solutions, virtualization, design automation or even real-time financial transactions. These Intel Xeon E5 2600 series processors delivers up to 80% higher performance compared to their predecessors. They feature more cores (6 to 8 cores), bigger cache and memory capacity, and faster communication pathways to move data more quickly.
Let me give you a brief overview of the features and benefits of the Intel Xeon E5 processors.
Advanced multi-core, multi-threaded processing:
• Up to 8 cores and 16 threads per socket.
• Ideal for virtualized data centers and public/private cloud deployments.
Larger memory and cache configurations:
• Up to 20 MB of last level cache for fast access to frequently used data.
• Up to 24 DIMMs per two-socket server to support multiple data-hungry VMs.
• Faster maximum memory speeds than the previous generation (1600 MHz versus 1333 MHz).
Higher performance for peak workloads:
• Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 takes advantage of power and thermal headroom to increase processor frequencies for peak workloads.
• Provides more and higher performance boosts and improved efficiency versus the previous generation.
Higher performance for HPC applications
• Intel Advanced Vector Extensions (Intel AVX) accelerates vector and floating point computations by increasing maximum vector size from 128 to 256 bits.
• Provides up to 2x performance boost for floating point operations, which can significantly increase performance for high performance computing (HPC) applications.
Industry-leading I/O performance
• Intel Integrated I/O provides up to 80 PCIe lanes per two-socket server, reduces latency by up to 30%, and supports the PCIe 3.0 specification, which improves bandwidth by as much as 2×6.
• Intel Data Direct I/O provides up to 2.3x higher I/O performance by transmitting data directly from storage to cache.
The first integrated storage and server processor
• Supports key storage processor features, including non-transparent bridging to increase scalability; the ability to connect multiple systems, each with access to the other’s memory window; accelerated RAID, which eliminates the need for a custom ASIC to perform RAID 5 and 6 operations.
Stronger, faster encryption to protect data
• Intel Advanced Encryption Standards – New Instructions (Intel AES-NI) enables pervasive encryption with fast application response times.
Hardened protection for virtual/cloud environments
• Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT) lets IT establish trusted pools of virtualized resources for stronger security in virtual and cloud environments.
Industry-leading energy-efficiency
• Intel Intelligent Power Technology dynamically manages CPU and memory energy states as workloads vary to minimize power without slowing performance.
• More sensors, finer-grained control, faster control loops, and greater accuracy increase power savings versus the prior generation.
Comprehensive monitoring and control
• Intel Node Manager lets IT monitor and control server power.
• Intel Data Center Manager lets IT dynamically optimize energy-consumption at every level, including individual servers, racks, rows, and entire data centers.
Investing or upgrading to these Intel Xeon E5 processors is a must. There are a total of 19 Intel Xeon E5 processors all together, 16 from the E5-2600 series family and 3 from the E5-1600 series family. But which processor is the best for you?
The Top 10 Intel Xeon E5 Processors
Today, let’s take a look at the top 10 most popular (most sought after) Intel Xeon E5 processors from the 2600 series family, and compare their specifications and prices. All these processors are based on Sandy Bridge-EP chips and are designed for socket LGA 2011 motherboards.
1. Intel Xeon E5-2687W Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 3.1 GHz (3.8 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 8 cores and 16 threads, a large 20MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 150W. It’s suggested retail price is around $1885 to $1890 USD.
2. Intel Xeon E5-2670 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2.6 GHz (3.3 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 8 cores and 16 threads, a large 20MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 115W. It’s suggested retail price is around $1552 to $1556 USD. This one is closely similar to the E5-2665.
3. Intel Xeon E5-2620 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2 GHz (2.5 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 6 cores and 12 threads, a 15MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 95W. It’s suggested retail price is around $406 to $410 USD.
4. Intel Xeon E5-2680 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2.7 GHz (3.5 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 8 cores and 16 threads, a large 20MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 130W. It’s suggested retail price is around $1723 to $1727 USD.
5. Intel Xeon E5-2630 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2.3 GHz (2.8 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 6 cores and 12 threads, a 15MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 95W. It’s suggested retail price is around $612 to $616 USD.
6. Intel Xeon E5-2690 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2.9 GHz (3.8 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 8 cores and 16 threads, a large 20MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 135W. It’s suggested retail price is around $2057 to $2061 USD. This is the higest (flagship) amongst the E5-2600 series has to offer.
7. Intel Xeon E5-2665 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2.4 GHz (3.1 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 8 cores and 16 threads, a large 20MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 115W. It’s suggested retail price is around $1440 to $1444 USD. This one is closely similar to the E5-2670.
8. Intel Xeon E5-2640 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2.5 GHz (3 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 6 cores and 12 threads, a 15MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 95W. It’s suggested retail price is around $885 to $889 USD.
9. Intel Xeon E5-2650 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2 GHz (2.8 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 8 cores and 16 threads, a large 20MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 95W. It’s suggested retail price is around $1107 to $1112 USD.
10. Intel Xeon E5-2660 Processor – This processors features a clock speed of 2.2 GHz (3 GHz Max Turbo frequency), has 8 cores and 16 threads, a large 20MB cache and a maximum Thermal Design Power of 115W. It’s suggested retail price is around $1329 to $1333 USD. This one is closely similar to the E5-2665 but with lesser TDP.
Below is the detailed specifications of these 10 Intel Xeon E5 processors and comparison table. Click on the image below for a larger and clearer view.
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