Intel seeks new 'microserver' standard
Found on CNet News on Wednesday, 28 October 2009
The chipmaker will offer its design specification to the Server System Infrastructure Forum by the end of the year, said Jason Waxman, general manager of Intel's high-density computing group.
The present microserver uses a 1.86GHz quad-core processor, the "Lynnfield" model of Intel's new "Nehalem" generation. Its top power consumption is 45 watts, but early in 2010, Intel will release a dual-core "Clarkdale" model that consumes only 30 watts when running flat-out.
That's at the top end, though. Intel's goal is for the entire microserver--which also includes memory and supporting chips--to idle at just 25 watts of power.
It's suprising how quickly low-power technology comes out, now that everybody talks about how good it is for the environment. Before, you impressed customers with the impressive kilowattage your hardware sucks in to deliver amazing processing power. That most systems just idled most of the time wasn't really mentioned.