Apple Updates Xserve with the Latest Intel Xeon 5500 Series Processors

[malware]

Thanks to the addition of the new Quad-core Intel Nehalem Xeon processors series 5500, the updated Xserve announced today delivers up to twice the performance of the previous system. For those not familiar with the term Xserve, this is the name of Apple's first 1U rackmount line of servers. It was first introduced in 2002, and thanks to this update now it is available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors, up to 3 TB of hot-plug internal storage using various hard drive modules and up to 32 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory on 8 slots. Starting at $2,999, Xserve includes an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard and enough power to become your file or web server. For the full tech specs, please click here.



Source: Apple

[-1nf1n1ty-]

wow thats damn nice

[Mussels]

thin server is VERY thin!

Looks snazzy too.

[ktr]

That looks damn nice...



I bet it squeals like any other 1U server.

[lemonadesoda]

Very nice design! This thing would look GREAT in an audio rack. Just imagine the digital sampler/VSTi capability of one of those.

The Q about noise is important. The passive coolers on the CPUs look good, BUT how noisey are those exit fans to the front? (Big holes visible in the front, looking like some Turbo's exhaust pipes )

Tech specs claim Turbo boost... but I thought that server based Nehalem-EPs didnt have that overdrive feature.

WAIT is that a slot CD/DVD drive in the upper RHS. Apple have really designed something desirable here.

[sheps999]

Originally Posted by lemonadesoda

The Q about noise is important. The passive coolers on the CPUs look good, BUT how noisey are those exit fans to the front?

Very. It's a 1U unit, and Apple's 1U servers have massive blowers at the front, and they are NOISY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by36R_6T4gg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3tC8J3eqAU

Not entirely sure if the Xserve is still designed that way, but it'll still be pretty loud.

[tkpenalty]

In a datacentre noise is the last thing you worry about. Performance and reliability come first. Those are some badass blowers lol...

[lemonadesoda]

Thanks for the utube links. WOW. Horrible noise!

Yes, noise is very relevant. An Xserve is a very suitable way to scale existing Apple workstation(s) for additional rendering or encoding power... not just for underground datacentre stuff. If you work on audio or video etc. one of these babies is a great way to double the horsepower of your machine... or indeed you thin client to one of these and let it do all the work.

And remember that Apples are more common in small business or independents. They DONT have datacentres, just a corner of the room with the NAS/printer stack.

Noise is OK... but then the level of noise excludes certain uses of the device. Particularly one that is designed to LOOK at, not just bury in the data-cellar.

Perhaps Apple should consider a 2U rather than 1U rack that is silent(ish) for the at-home or small business segment.

[Jizzler]

For those concerned about noise: Mac Pro + OSX Server.

It would also be more stylish than a rack with only a couple Xserves installed, I think

[lemonadesoda]

Originally Posted by Jizzler

It would also be more stylish than a rack with only a couple Xserves installed, I think

A lot of those audio engineers have got their 19" racks full of audio/recording equipment. Stick a Xserve in there running Pro Logic or gigastudio and/or other VSTi stuff and you would have a fab setup.

[Jizzler]

Ahh true.

Should have thought about that as some of my favorite desks are audio/video oriented:

http://www.omnirax.com/index.php/DisplayProduct/0-31

I look at it and see a 4U for myself, some 2U home servers, racked UPS's, etc. Not too big on audio side of things (I have audio guys for that ). Though a racked receiver would be nice.

[jagass]

That is great...Very nice...

[lemonadesoda]

That picture is great Jizzler, although perhaps a bit out of date! LOL

A double sided rack desk... solid cherry... would be beautiful. (not just choice of melamine laminate colors. LOL)

PS. That picture has got me thinking... Perhaps I should build myself a nice soundproofed 19" rack to go under the desk, on wheels. I could then build a rack based PC and stuff all sorts of other rubbish down there.

[Castiel]

Just configured one. $82,300. wow.

[h3llb3nd4]

Crap, I wouldn't be able to get one any soon then...

[ShogoXT]

Originally Posted by Castiel

Just configured one. $82,300. wow.

Lolmac. Im sorry but I had to say it. Actually I dont have too much of a problem with Apple themselves, but alot of fans left a bad impression on me.

[aj28]

Originally Posted by Castiel

Just configured one. $82,300. wow.

Unless you added an external RAID system, that price is impossible to come up with, even if you throw in the fastest processors, most memory, best fiber NIC's, and all the software and support options they have available. Price doesn't mean anything if you're not going to post the specs. Hell, if you get it inlaid with diamonds, I bet you could push the price over $100K, but it would be helpful to note that before you go around trumpeting such a ridiculous number =/

Out of curiosity though... Did anyone else notice the GT 120 they list in the specs? o_O

[Jizzler]

Originally Posted by aj28

Out of curiosity though... Did anyone else notice the GT 120 they list in the specs? o_O

Perhaps it's cheaper for them to use cards that are already supported in the OS? (vs the onboard Matrox, XGI, and other onboard video chipsets you find.

The two G5-based Xserves here at work both have the base model video card of the time - some ATI Xxxxx card.