Bake-Off: Four Quad-Core Servers Deliver Performance

By Marc Spiwak, CRN
May 21, 2007 12:00 AM ET

Page 1 of 6

There was a time when 1U servers didn't pack much of a punch. But dual- and quad-core processors have changed everything. These processors can work on multiple tasks simultaneously without forcing applications to compete for processing power.

Solution providers now can offer 1U servers with unprecedented capacity, containing two quad-core Intel Xeon processors, 32 Gbytes of memory, up to six hard drives and redundant power supplies, and up to 42 of these servers will fit in a standard rack.

Here we take a look at four 1U servers: the Gateway E-9425R, the Hewlett-Packard DL360 G5, the IBM System x3550 and the Supermicro SuperServer 6015B-URV.

Slide Show: 4 Quad-Core Servers

Each of these servers will accommodate two quad-core Intel Xeon processors, although the CRN Test Center requested that the units have only one processor installed so that engineers could compare powerful entry-level servers that can easily be upgraded down the road to boost computing power, leaving plenty of room for solution providers to add value later on through upgrades by adding a second processor, more memory and special expansion cards.

Vendors submitted a two-way 1U server with a single 1.87GHz Xeon processor, 2 Gbytes of memory, one 73-Gbyte Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) hard drive and Windows 2003 Server as the operating system. Engineers benchmarked the servers using PassMark's PerformanceTest software.

Engineers evaluated the products based on feature set, product quality, price/performance, ease of deployment, ease of use and profit potential for channel partners.

Next: Hewlett-Packard ProLiant DL360 G5

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