HP SmartCache Introduction, Processor technologies, Intel QuickPath Technology

Introduction

HP engineers designed HP ProLiant G6 DL, ML, and BladeSystem servers with more processing, memory, and I/O capacity to support more users, more transactions, or more virtual machines than previous ProLiant servers. These technologies include Intel® Xeon® 5500 series processors based on the Intel® Microarchitecture Nehalem, Double Data Rate-3 (DDR3) memory, HP Smart Array controllers, and HP smart management tools. ProLiant G6 server technologies enable IT to produce more using fewer physical machines; maximize energy efficiency; reclaim power capacity hidden by conservative power management practices; and unite physical and virtual environments to maximize productivity.

Compared to the previous generation of servers, ProLiant G6 servers deliver up to 2.5 times more power efficiency using Thermal Logic technology. Originally offered only on the HP BladeSystem, Thermal Logic technology is implemented across all ProLiant ML, DL, and BL G6 servers. It includes Dynamic Power Capping, integrated thermal sensors, and common slot power supplies.

This technology brief summarizes the processor, memory, storage, power management, infrastructure management, and virtualization technologies in ProLiant G6 servers. You will find links to additional resources and information throughout this paper and in the “For more information” section.

Processor technologies

HP uses the enhanced technologies in Intel Xeon 5500 series quad-core processors as building blocks to construct a range of performance and power options for dual-processor ProLiant G6 servers. These technologies include Intel® QuickPath Technology, an integrated memory controller, a three-level cache hierarchy, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, and Dynamic Power Management. HP and Intel co-developed the advanced power capping feature that increases the power cap dynamic range and improves its responsiveness in the processors and memory sub- system. Intel Xeon 5500 series processors are available in high-performance 95-watt, standard 80- watt, and low-power 60-watt versions (Table 1).

Table 1. 60-Watt, 80-Watt, and 95-Watt Intel Xeon 5500 series processor specifications

No Turbo Boost Turbo Boost

	60W		80W			95W
L5530 (2.40		8MB L3,	E5540 (2.53	8MB L3	E5570	8MB L3
GHz)		5.86 GT/s QPI,	GHz)	5.86 GT/s	(2.93 GHz)	6.40 GT/s QPI
		800/1066		QPI		800/1066/1333
L5520 (2.26			E5530 (2.40		E5560
		MHz DDR3,		1066 MHz		MHz DDR3
GHz)			GHz)		(2.80 GHz)
		Hyper-		DDR3		Hyper-Threading
		Threading	E5520 (2.26	Hyper-	E5550
				Threading
			GHz)		(2.66 GHz)
		4MB L3,	E5506 (2.13	4MB L3
L5506 (2.13		4.8 GT/s QPI,	GHz)	4.8 GT/s
		800 MHz		QPI
GHz)			E5504 (2.00
		DDR3,		800 MHz
			GHz)
		No Hyper-		DDR3
		Threading	E5502 (1.86	No Hyper-

GHz)Threading

Intel QuickPath Technology

The Intel® QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) is a high-speed, point-to-point interconnect that directly links the processors and I/O chipset to boost data transfer between the processors and other system components (Figure 1). The QPI replaces the shared front-side bus and memory controller hub found

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