Intel reduces the RISC factor, charts tech roadmap

Intel is working on widening the lead of its IA (Intel Architecture)-based server systems over the RISC processor rivals. "Multiple CPUs are under development from Intel's side, with our product roadmap being tailored to further leverage our research and manufacturing skills against the multiple processing needs and applications used by our customers. Another priority is addressing customer dependence on best-of-breed apps and platforms through stronger migration capabilities of their Intel environments," says Narendra Bhandari, Intel APAC Regional Manager (Strategic Relations). 

In 2003, IA-based systems exceeded RISC-based systems in revenues and adoption on supercomputing High Performance Clusters (HPC). The Xeon and Itanium 64-bit processor families made strong inroads into the Indian manufacturing, telecom, retail, utilities and finance sectors in Q3 2003. HP alone shipped over 100 Itanium-loaded systems in the last six months, Narendra informs, adding that ISVs would be a key customer segment for Intel to pursue on its three main service lines - desktops, servers and platforms. "We service about 80 ISVs at this point of time. Emerging verticals like retail and biotech will be of increasing relevance," Narendra adds. 

Intel will further expand its Itanium product line in the first half (H1) of 2004. A 1.4 GHz version of Itanium is slated for launch in end-2004, while the 1.5 GHz Itanium 2 processor codenamed 'Madison' for enterprise data centers will be rolled out in June this year. 

The company expects its Xeon processor MP family to touch four million units in H1 2004. Xeon MP features hyper-threading technology, integrated three-level cache architecture and the NetBurst micro architecture. An enhanced version of the Xeon is slated for rollout in Q1 of this year. A new Pentium 4-based blade server from IBM and an Intel blade server codenamed 'McCurran' are also due in Q1.

According to Intel, the Nocona series of processor platforms running on a chipset code-named 'Lindenhurst/Tumwater are on track for introduction in the second quarter of 2004. The company expects future Itanium processors to deliver clock-speeds double that prescribed under the Moore's Law.

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