Dell PowerEdge 2650

Processor Technology

The PowerEdge 2650 supports Intel Dual Processor (DP) Xeon Processors. These processors feature 512K cache, NetBurst™ micro-architecture, and Hyper-Threading Technology.

The PowerEdge 2650 is currently available in the following processor speeds:

1.8 Ghz
2.0 Ghz
2.2 Ghz
2.4 Ghz

This is a picture of the PowerEdge 2650 processor subsystem

The key features supported by the Intel DP Xeon processors:

Source synchronous Front Side Bus (FSB) with address clocked at 200MHz and data (8 bytes) clocked at 400MHz
603-pin PGA package in a ZIF socket
No termination required for non-populated CPUs (must populate CPU socket 0 first)
Peak Bandwidth 4264 MByte/s
"Hyper-Threading Technology"
- Duplicated registers within the CPU allow simultaneous execution of two threads.
64-byte Cache line size
Data Inversion
IOQ depth = 12
Source -Synchronous Transfer (SST) 4x per bus clock
Max transfer per processor 29
RISC/CISC hybrid architecture
AGTL+ external bus
Compatible with existing x86 code base
Optimized for 32-bit code
MMX support
Streaming SIMD extensions

More information about Intel Xeon processors can be found at the following link: http://www.intel.com/design/Xeon/datashts/298642.htm

Hyper-Threading

Hyper-Threading Technology provides added performance on multithreaded code and multitasking operations through better utilization of processor resources. The technology is compatible with today's multiprocessing aware software, and Intel is working with software vendors to tune applications for optimal performance.

In simplified terms, Hyper-Threading causes the OS to view the processor as two logical processors. This does not mean that Xeon processors have two completely separate processors on one die. Instead, the processor has duplicate architectural states that share a single execution resource, so the execution resource, which is often idle in DP servers today, is utilized more efficiently. Hyper-Threading provides improved reaction and response time because multiple tasks can be run simultaneously. The technology enables a platform to support more users and process more transactions than a processor without this technology.

IMPORTANT - More Information NOTE: By default the PowerEdge 2650 ships with the Hyper-Threading option enabled. To disable this option enter the BIOS, press <Enter> on CPU information, and disable the Logical Processor option.

This is a picture of the PowerEdge 2650 BIOS

Hyper-Threading and Operating Systems

The current operating systems supported on Dell platforms will react differently to Hyper-Threading technology. Below is a listing of those operating systems with the characteristics of each.

IMPORTANT - More Information NOTE: Microsoft NT 4.0, Novell NetWare 5.X (and earlier versions), and RedHat Linux 7.2 Pro (and earlier versions) operating systems do not recognize Hyper-Threading logical processor technology.

Operating Systems Characteristics

Microsoft NT 4.0
NetWare 5.x
Red Hat Linux 7.2 Professional
Does not recognize Hyper-Threading logical processors. Some Service Packs (or other operating system updates) may change this; check with the OS vendor for more details.

Microsoft Windows 2000
Recognizes both logical and physical processors, but is not able to distinguish between them.

NOTE: As Windows 2000 cannot distinguish between logical and actual processors, Hyper-Threading will impact licensing models if enabled.

Microsoft .NET
NetWare 6.X SP1
Red Hat Linux 7.2 Advanced Server
Red Hat Linux 8.0

Distinguishes between physical and logical processors. Optimizes for Hyper-Threading.

Processor Voltage Regulator Modules (VRM's)

Voltage Regulator Modules for the system processors provide the high-current capability for the Intel processors. For each processor in the system, a voltage regulator must be installed in the adjacent socket connector.

NOTE: The PowerEdge 2650 requires 2 processor VRMs for a dual processor system.

This is a picture of the 2650 processor VRM