HPQ: HP Unveils Multi-core Workstation Computing with Intel at QuadFest

HP today introduced powerful, energy-efficient multi-core workstations featuring the industry’s first volume quad-core processors from Intel Corporation.

The HP workstations are designed to help professionals such as digital content creators, oil and gas engineers, and computer-aided manufacturing engineers achieve shorter project cycle times and greater parallelism in their workflow in a stable, multi-threaded, multi-tasking environment.

The computing solutions were announced during QuadFest, a special event for customers, partners, independent software vendors and journalists. At the event, Chris Christopher, senior vice president and general manager of the Desktop Business at HP, and Tom Kilroy, vice president and general manager of the Digital Enterprise Group at Intel, shared details of the new Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® processor 5300 series and Intel Core 2 Extreme® QX6700 quad-core processors,(1) which will begin shipping in HP workstations tomorrow.

“HP and Intel are setting the industry standard for multi-core workstation computing,” said Christopher. “By combining quad-core power with HP performance, our customers can take workstations where they’ve never gone before.”

The powerful performance, scalability, energy efficiency and reliability of Intel quad-core processors combined with world-class HP workstations offers customers increased capabilities to perform mission-critical operations.

“Intel and HP have consistently provided solutions that offer unprecedented levels of performance and reliability,” said Kilroy. “By bringing the performance and energy efficiency of the industry’s first volume quad-core microprocessors to workstation computing, Intel and HP are giving customers the tools they need for faster visualization, analysis and product creation.”

Rob Enderle, principal analyst for the Enderle Group, added, “HP and Intel are currently leading their respective industries, and quad-core processing is the future of workstations and personal computers. Powerful partnerships are needed to drive powerful technologies and it was natural for these two companies to come together to launch their respective offerings. For those who create using workstations and PCs, the products that will result from this effort will be incredibly attractive.”

QuadFest attendees from around the world can experience the advantages of quad-core processor-based workstations firsthand through interactive demonstrations geared toward digital content creation, computer-aided design, oil and gas exploration and computer-aided engineering. In addition, customers, partners and independent software vendors – including Ansys, Fluent (a subsidiary of Ansys), Autodesk Media and Entertainment, Landmark and PTC – are participating in the event to share best practices and success stories.

The first day of QuadFest concluded with a visit to the world-renowned Gates Planetarium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where Intel-based HP xw8400 Workstations featuring quad-core technology are being used in tandem with a suite of 11 digital projectors to produce bright, vibrant images that give viewers a realistic perspective of the universe.

“The quality of visual effects in our planetarium is absolutely crucial to the overall visitor experience,” said Dan Neafus, operations manager, Gates Planetarium. “With multi-core technology running on HP workstations, we can reach new heights in visualization, making the planetarium a true launch pad for visitors to gain new insights and perspectives about the universe.”

Additional QuadFest events continue today with an exclusive trip to the HP Workstation Research and Development Labs in Fort Collins, Colo. Attendees will get an inside look at what’s to come in 2007 and also witness a live video conference between HP and one of its key, Los Angeles-based customers. The conference will take place via the HP Halo Collaboration Studio, a high-fidelity solution that enables people in different locations to communicate in a vivid, face-to-face environment in real time.

HP workstations featuring the new Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5300 processor series have a starting price of $2,349(2) and are available online, in major retail stores, through resellers or from HP.



(1) Quad Core is a new technology designed to improve performance of multi-threaded software products and hardware-aware multi-tasking operating systems and may require appropriate operating system software for full benefit. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology.

(2) Estimated U.S. street prices. Actual prices may vary.