Apple Updates Xserve to Nehalem Processors

MacRumors · Apr 7, 2009, 08:39 AM

As rumored, Apple has updated its Xserve line of servers to the latest Intel Nehalem processors. Apple claims the new Xserves deliver up to twice the performance of the previous system.

Quote:

Using Intel "Nehalem" Xeon processors and a next generation system architecture, the 1U rack-optimized Xserve delivers up to an 89 percent improvement in performance per watt. Xserve is available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors and industry-leading storage options that include a low-power solid state drive (SSD) and up to 3TB of internal storage. Starting at $2,999, Xserve includes an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.

The new Xserve is available immediately from the Apple Store. The standard $2,999 configuration includes a 2.26GHZ Quad-Core Xeon 5500 processor and build to order options include dual 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors.

Article Link: Apple Updates Xserve to Nehalem Processors

Grimace · Apr 7, 2009, 08:40 AM

Just placed my order for an Octo-Serve!

Thanks Apple!

justflie · Apr 7, 2009, 08:41 AM

D'oh. I just submitted this to you. Haha. Oh boy, there's that "performance per watt" metric again.

As engineer, that melts my brain on many levels.

vendettabass · Apr 7, 2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimace

Just placed my order for an Octo-Serve!

Thanks Apple!

what you using it for?

edesignuk · Apr 7, 2009, 08:42 AM

It boggles the mind that on a rather expensive server the RAID card is a $700 option, and that other than the SSD (who uses SSD's in servers?) the only other disk option is SATA. Where is SAS?

Awesome-o/ · Apr 7, 2009, 08:42 AM

about time

darrenscerri · Apr 7, 2009, 08:42 AM

Haha new Nehalem Xserves! The GPU is a GT 120.

No more SAS option? There are only the S-ATA drives as options. Btw for those who are wondering a quick search in google, "ADM" means Apple Drive Modules.

Evangelion · Apr 7, 2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edesignuk

It boggles the mind that on a rather expensive server the RAID card is a $700 option, and that other than the SSD (who uses SSD's in servers?) the only other disk option is SATA. Where is SAS?

I think the SSD makes quite a bit of sense. It doesn't eat a drive-bay and it has ultra-fast seek-times. There are quite a bit of uses for SSD in server-use IMO.

amac4me · Apr 7, 2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evangelion

I think the SSD makes quite a bit of sense. It doesn't eat a drive-bay and it has ultra-fast seek-times. There are quite a bit of uses for SSD in server-use IMO.

I think you're right and we'll see the adoption of SSD across more servers (and vendors) moving forward.

edesignuk · Apr 7, 2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evangelion

I think the SSD makes quite a bit of sense. It doesn't eat a drive-bay and it has ultra-fast seek-times. There are quite a bit of uses for SSD in server-use IMO.

Perhaps in certain cases it might, though I'd still say that would be rather specialised. I stand by the rest of my statement though!

Airforcekid · Apr 7, 2009, 08:49 AM

I noticed if you went under mac it was updated mins before the store opened!

Babybandit · Apr 7, 2009, 08:52 AM

Ordered 2 at 2.93 Octa Core. Going to swap the Ram and Harddrives later on.

Might pinch down for 2 more to swap out more of the school's old server.

But definitely going to see how well they run first.

themoonisdown09 · Apr 7, 2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edesignuk

It boggles the mind that on a rather expensive server the RAID card is a $700 option, and that other than the SSD (who uses SSD's in servers?) the only other disk option is SATA. Where is SAS?

I believe the SSD is meant for the operating system.

Quote:

Solid-state drive option.
Xserve supports a 128GB Solid State Drive (SSD) that doesn’t take up a valuable drive bay. When added, it comes configured as your boot drive.

edesignuk · Apr 7, 2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themoonisdown09

I believe the SSD is meant for the operating system.

Yeah I know. Still seems like an odd choice when the drive bays are all stuck with plain old SATA.

Shivetya · Apr 7, 2009, 08:56 AM

is the zero percent financing new?

babyjenniferLB · Apr 7, 2009, 08:57 AM

"Three independent hot-plug drive bays with support for SATA or SAS Apple Drive Modules."

Note the Xserve raid card is a SAS Raid card just not clearly advertised.

Sehnsucht · Apr 7, 2009, 08:58 AM

Now if my school would just order a rack of these bitches, I'd have no problem with it at all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrenscerri

Haha new Nehalem Xserves! The GPU is a GT 120.

Better than the previous Xserve's integrated 64MB ATI chip.

But I always figured that you could throw a Mac Pro-compatible graphics card in one of these things, since the Xserve is basically a "squished" Mac Pro, right? Or is there even any physical room for a full-sized graphics card?

Schizoid · Apr 7, 2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edesignuk

Yeah I know. Still seems like an odd choice when the drive bays are all stuck with plain old SATA.

Much better than the old standard 80Gb boot drive, although I would want an SSD boot drive, and 3 x 1TB RAID 5.... oh dear £4000..... ungh

Joe The Dragon · Apr 7, 2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyjenniferLB

"Three independent hot-plug drive bays with support for SATA or SAS Apple Drive Modules."

Note the Xserve raid card is a SAS Raid card just not clearly advertised.

3gb of ram in a $3000 system?

for $500 more then the mac pro they can at least put 6gb in there.

edesignuk · Apr 7, 2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyjenniferLB

"Three independent hot-plug drive bays with support for SATA or SAS Apple Drive Modules."

Note the Xserve raid card is a SAS Raid card just not clearly advertised.

ah huh! OK. Still crappy that in a server they charge you $700 to have RAID capability (hello! it's a server!). At least it brings SAS with it though.

Can't help but think if you pick up an HP Proliant DL you'll get all this and more as standard.

fleshman03 · Apr 7, 2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sehnsucht

But I always figured that you could throw a Mac Pro-compatible graphics card in one of these things, since the Xserve is basically a "squished" Mac Pro, right? Or is there even any physical room for a full-sized graphics card?

You know, I've always had this weird dream of having one of those screwed into the bottom of a desk and used as a "workstation" computer.

Weird thought, huh?

I'd venture that it could offer better power consumption and heat distribution than a MacPro, but I'd be talking right out of my ass w/o actually knowing if that's the case.

Cromulent · Apr 7, 2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edesignuk

Yeah I know. Still seems like an odd choice when the drive bays are all stuck with plain old SATA.

Nah, you can stick SAS drives in them. Apple just does not offer them as a BTO option.

Edit: Darn just checked out the config I would buy if I had the cash and it came to £19k roughly. Little bit more saving left to do me thinks

.

brisbaneguy29 · Apr 7, 2009, 09:03 AM

I believe if you read the specs SAS is indeed an option,

"Flexible drive options.
Xserve 1TB Serial ATA (SATA) Apple Drive Modules pack up to 3TB in a 1U form factor. Rated 24/7 for server-class reliability and performance, these drives are an outstanding dollar-per-gigabyte value. Or add 15,000-rpm Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) drive modules and enjoy the highest disk performance available today. SAS drives deliver higher sequential performance (up to 163MB/s2), outstanding random-access performance, and best-in-class mean time between failure (MTBF) ratings for the most demanding applications."

edesignuk · Apr 7, 2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cromulent

Nah, you can stick SAS drives in them. Apple just does not offer them as BTO option.

Intelligent, that

Don.Key · Apr 7, 2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleshman03

You know, I've always had this weird dream of having one of those screwed into the bottom of a desk and used as a "workstation" computer.

It's a great idea... If you are deaf.

Apr 7, 2009, 08:40 AM	#2
Grimace Contributor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: with Hamburglar.	Just placed my order for an Octo-Serve! Thanks Apple! __________________ Canon 1Ds Mk III • Canon 5D MkII 16-35mm f/2.8L II • 24-70mm f/2.8L • 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 50mm f/1.2L • 85mm f/1.2L • 135mm f/2L • 300mm f/2.8L IS

Apr 7, 2009, 08:41 AM	#3
justflie macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Red Sox Nation	D'oh. I just submitted this to you. Haha. Oh boy, there's that "performance per watt" metric again. As engineer, that melts my brain on many levels. __________________ 2 x 2.66 GHz 2009 Mac Pro, 6 GB RAM, GTX 285 ; 32GB iPhone 3GS

Apr 7, 2009, 08:42 AM	#5
edesignuk Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Great(?) Britain	It boggles the mind that on a rather expensive server the RAID card is a $700 option, and that other than the SSD (who uses SSD's in servers?) the only other disk option is SATA. Where is SAS? __________________ Search before you post: MRoogle **Better BBC Search**

Apr 7, 2009, 08:42 AM	#7
darrenscerri macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Malta	Haha new Nehalem Xserves! The GPU is a GT 120. No more SAS option? There are only the S-ATA drives as options. Btw for those who are wondering a quick search in google, "ADM" means Apple Drive Modules. __________________ MacBook Pro 15" 2.53Ghz (Late 2008 - Unibody) 16GB 1st Gen iPod Touch

Apr 7, 2009, 08:49 AM	#11
Airforcekid macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: United States of America	I noticed if you went under mac it was updated mins before the store opened! __________________ I have no sympathy for people with a shoot from the hip approach to technology, learn how to use it right and don't wine when it doesn't work exactly how you want it to.

Apr 7, 2009, 08:42 AM	#6
Awesome-o/ macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2008	about time

Apr 7, 2009, 08:52 AM	#12
Babybandit macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2008	Ordered 2 at 2.93 Octa Core. Going to swap the Ram and Harddrives later on. Might pinch down for 2 more to swap out more of the school's old server. But definitely going to see how well they run first. __________________ Twit me! Here 15" Macbook Pro, White iPhone 3G, iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Touch!

Apr 7, 2009, 08:56 AM	#15
Shivetya In Time-Out Join Date: Jan 2008	is the zero percent financing new?

Apr 7, 2009, 08:57 AM	#16
babyjenniferLB macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Scotlands	"Three independent hot-plug drive bays with support for SATA or SAS Apple Drive Modules." Note the Xserve raid card is a SAS Raid card just not clearly advertised. __________________ Kittenbunny CMS developer Temp Project link

Apr 7, 2009, 09:03 AM	#23
brisbaneguy29 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brisbane	I believe if you read the specs SAS is indeed an option, "Flexible drive options. Xserve 1TB Serial ATA (SATA) Apple Drive Modules pack up to 3TB in a 1U form factor. Rated 24/7 for server-class reliability and performance, these drives are an outstanding dollar-per-gigabyte value. Or add 15,000-rpm Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) drive modules and enjoy the highest disk performance available today. SAS drives deliver higher sequential performance (up to 163MB/s2), outstanding random-access performance, and best-in-class mean time between failure (MTBF) ratings for the most demanding applications." __________________ WEBCROWD : Hosting and Domains P: 07 3348 8156 E: simon@webcrowd.com.au W: http://www.webcrowd.com.au

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