Advanced Micro Devices unveiled dual-core server processors much earlier compared to its larger rival Intel Corp. But the latter has not been relaxing, but has been developing chips that might offer clearly better performance compared to the competitor. According to a publication, Intel's Xeon code-named Dempsey processor can outperform the top dual-core AMD Opteron, but as it consumes more energy,?a single server running such chips will cost more to own.

Intel Xeon processors code-named Dempsey are designed for 2-way servers. The chips contain two processing engines, operate at up to 3.46GHz, feature 4MB (2MB per core) of L2 cache, use 1066MHz processor system bus and are produced using 65nm process technology. Intel Dempsey processors use LGA771 form-factor and require Intel's code-named Bensley platform along with Blackford chipset.

AnandTech web-site managed to get a Intel Bensley Pre-Production System and compared its performance and power consumption to AMD Opteron 280-based system equipped with Tyan S2882 K8S mainboard.

While the Bensley was faster by 14% in SQL database stress test, it consumed roughly 80% more energy under maximum load, which lowers its value for datacenters.

• AnandTech: Intel's Dual-Core Xeon First Look.