Apple Xserve Xeon Nehalem 2.26 "Quad Core" Specs (MB449LL/A)
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The Xserve Xeon Nehalem 2.26 "Quad Core" (Early 2009) is powered by a 2.26 GHz Quad Core 45-nm Xeon E5520 (Nehalem) processor with a dedicated 256k of level 2 cache for each core and 8 MB of "fully shared" level 3 cache. This model also can be ordered with a second 2.26 GHz Quad Core Xeon E5520 (Nehalem) processor for an additional US$600, or custom configured with dual 2.66 GHz Quad Core Xeon (X5550) processors or dual 2.93 GHz Quad Core Xeon (X5570) processors for an additional US$2000 or US$3200, respectively.
By default, it is configured with 3 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, a 160 GB (7200 RPM, 8 MB cache) hot-plug "Apple Drive Module" (a 128 GB SSD option -- which does not occupy a drive bay -- is available for an additional US$500), an 8X dual-layer "SuperDrive", and NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory. Ports include Mini DisplayPort (VGA and DVI supported with optional adapters), three USB 2.0 ports, and two Firewire "800" ports.
Compared to the "Early 2008" Xserve that it replaced, the Xeon Nehalem 2.26 "Quad Core" (Early 2009), uses a
substantially faster architecture that supports "Hyper-Threading" -- which "allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core" -- and "Turbo Boost" -- which "automatically boosts the processor speed based on workload" (so if an application is only using one core it will automatically increase the speed of the core in use and turn off the unused cores). It also replaces the frontside bus with a new "QuickPath Interconnect" (QPI) system described as a "bidrectional, point-to-point connection" that provides "quick access to the disk, I/O, and other Xserve subsystems". Apple reports that these improvements add up to "twice the performance" of the previous system.
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| Introduction Date: |
April 7, 2009 |
Discontinued Date: |
N/A |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. |
| Processor Type: |
Q. Core Xeon E5520 |
Processor Speed: |
2.26 GHz |
| Details: |
The standard configuration has a single 64-bit 45-nm Xeon E5520 (Nehalem) processor with four independent processor "cores" each with a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, 8 MB of "fully shared" level 3 cache, an integrated memory controller, and "a 128-bit SSE4 SIMD engine". It also supports "Hyper-Threading" -- which "allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core" -- and "Turbo Boost" -- which "automatically boosts the processor speed based on workload" (so if an application is only using one of the four cores it will automatically increase the speed of the core in use and turn off the unused cores).
This model also can be ordered with a second 2.26 GHz Quad Core Xeon E5520 (Nehalem) processor for an additional US$600, or custom configured with dual 2.66 GHz Quad Core Xeon (X5550) processors or dual 2.93 GHz Quad Core Xeon (X5570) processors for an additional US$2000 or US$3200, respectively. |
| Processor Upgrade: |
N/A |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
It is not clear whether or not the processor can be upgraded on this model. |
| System Bus Speed: |
QPI* |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.26 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: |
*This system replaces the frontside bus with a new "QuickPath Interconnect" (QPI) system described as a "bidirectional, point-to-point connection" that provides "quick access to the disk, I/O, and other Xserve subsystems". |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
N/A |
| L1 Cache: |
32k/32k x4 |
L2/L3 Cache: |
256k (x4), 8 MB* |
| Details: |
*Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 8 MB of "fully shared" level 3 cache as well. |
| RAM Type: |
DDR3 ECC SDRAM* |
Min. RAM Speed: |
1066 MHz |
| Details: |
Uses "1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory" (PC-8500) modules. |
| Standard RAM: |
3 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
12/24 GB* |
| Details: |
*3 GB of RAM installed as three 1 GB modules. Three slots free. Although the Quad-Core and Eight Core models, respectively, hold 12 GB and 24 GB of memory, Apple reports that the "system supports up to 32 GB in MacOS X Server v10.5".
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells Xserve memory, as well as hard drives and other upgrades. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
6/12* |
| Details: |
*Apple reports that the system has six DIMM slots in the (default) quad-core configuration, and twelve DIMM slots in the eight core configuration. Regardless of the number of slots -- which can hold a maximum of either 12 GB or 24 GB, respectively -- Apple reports that the "system supports up to 32 GB in MacOS X Server v10.5". |
| Video Card: |
GeForce GT 120 |
VRAM Type: |
GDDR3 SDRAM |
| Details: |
Apple reports that this Xserve model has "NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory and Mini DisplayPort output". Adapters to VGA and DVI output are sold separately. |
| Standard VRAM: |
256 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
256 MB |
| Display Support: |
N/A |
Resolution Support: |
N/A |
| 2nd Display Support: |
None |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
N/A |
| Details: |
Single display supported in default configuration. Additional displays can be supported with expansion cards. |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
160 GB (7200 RPM) |
Int. HD Interface: |
SATA/SAS |
| Details: |
Default hard drive is a 160 GB 7200 RPM SATA "Apple Drive Module" with 8 MB of cache. Apple also offers a 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA drive with 32 MB of cache as a US$200 option and a 128 GB SSD (which does not occupy a drive bay) for an additional US$500. Apple formally supports "up to 3 TB of hot-plug internal storage" using three 1 TB drive modules. |
| Standard Optical: |
8X DL "SuperDrive" |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
An 8X double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) is standard. |
| Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
Gigabit (x2) |
| Details: |
The system has "two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T [Gigabit] Ethernet (RJ-45) interfaces with support for jumbo frames." |
| Standard AirPort: |
N/A |
Standard Bluetooth: |
N/A |
| USB Ports: |
3 (2.0) |
Firewire Ports: |
2 (800) |
| Details: |
Three USB 2.0 ports (one on front panel, two on rear) and two Firewire "800" ports on rear panel.
Also see: Complete Ports. |
| Expansion Slots: |
2 PCIe 2.0 x16* |
Expansion Bays: |
3 3.5" |
| Details: |
Apple explains that this system offers "two open PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots: one half-length (6.6-inch) and one 9.25-inch length".
In the default configuration, one external 3.5" bay is occupied by a hard drive and two bays are free. If configured with an SSD, the SSD does not occupy a drive bay. |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
None |
Incl. Input: |
None |
| Case Type: |
Rack-Mountable |
Form Factor: |
Xserve Intel |
| Details: |
Fits "most industry-standard (EIA-310-D) four-post racks and cabinets with a rack depth of 24 inches to 36 inches deep." |
| Apple Order No: |
MB449LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Early 2009 |
| Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1279 |
Machine Model: |
Xserve3,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
N/A |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X Server 10.5.6 |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current X Server |
| Details: |
Please note that this system can run the current version of MacOS X Server 10.6 "Snow Leopard" including booting in 64-bit mode as well as OpenCL and Grand Central Dispatch support. |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
None |
Windows Support: |
N/A |
| Dimensions: |
1.73 x 17.6 x 30.0 |
Avg. Weight: |
30.8 lbs. (14.0 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (4.4 cm, 44.7 cm, 76.2 cm). 30.8 pounds (14.0 kg) for "base" configuration. Apple reports that it weighs "38.3 pounds (17.4 kg) for [the] 8-core system with twelve DIMMs, three 1 TB SATA Apple Drive Modules, and two power supplies". |
| Original Price: |
US$2999 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$2999 |
| Details: |
To purchase an Xserve, free of sales tax, please visit site-sponsor PowerMax.
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
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