HP Debuts Eight-Core Workstations

It's the kind of computer Tim Allen would love: two Intel Xeon Quad-Core processors in the same box. More power, indeed.

One core was good, two proved to be better, and four topped them all. Once you’re at the top… Why not double it and go for broke, right? That appears to be the approach HP designers took with the company’s latest HP xw6600 and xw8600 workstations, which both boast eight cores humming away inside.

The eight-core versions of the machines will run dual Intel Xeon Quad-Core series processors, while toned down versions sporting two Dual-Core 5200 series processors will also be available. The computers are aimed at professions that can sap up all the processor power they can get their hands on, including software designers, architects, video editors, game developers, and scientists.

Both processors use Intel’s new 45nm manufacturing process, which is supposed to boost energy efficiency, and cut lead completely out of the design. To the same green end, the power supply for the systems has also been upgraded to 80 percent efficiency, and 90 percent of the workstations can be recycled.

Other specs include room for two PCI Express Gen2 x16 graphics cards, storage capacity of up to 5 terabytes, and memory capacity of up to 128 gigabytes on the xw8600. The system cases can sit on a desktop, on the floor, or in a rack.

The first versions of the xw6600 and xw8600 will be the versions with dual-core processors under the hood. They will begin shipping in mid-December, starting at around $1,200.