Entry-Level Workstation Platform

for Outstanding Value, Performance, and Dependability

Workstation platforms based on the Intel 975X Express chipset deliver higher system performance for graphics-intensive applications and help boost productivity for power users.

Proven Technology to Meet Your Business Needs

From generation to generation, customers depend on Intel-based workstations to provide superior value, performance, reliability, and flexibility. With a proven track record of providing advanced workstation solutions, Intel continues to deliver the latest platform technologies and innovations to meet the demands of professionals and to give business managers the tools to grow their business and lower system costs. Intel entry-level workstation platforms support the demands of users in compute- and graphicsintensive fields, such as graphics design, 3-D visualization, and Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC). Entry-level workstation platforms based on the Intel Core2 Extreme Processor, Intel Core2 Quad Processor, or Intel Core2 Duo Processor and the Intel 975X Express chipset are ideal for processor-and graphicsintensive applications. These workstation platforms integrate high-performance features with leading graphics technology to meet your business demands today and in the future.

Exceptional Levels of Power and Performance

Processors based on new Intel Core microarchitecture integrate a more efficient pipeline and memory architecture design with new power management technologies. The result is outstanding processor throughput and reduced power consumption while improving performance. It is an innovative microarchitecture, enabling you to deploy quieter, higher performance systems that help cut operating costs. Processor performance and power innovations include: Intel Wide Dynamic Execution Executes four instructions per clock with a wider execution path for each processor core than previous generation 64-bit Intel processors. Macro Fusion Combines discrete instructions into a single instruction for execution, delivering more efficient processing and faster throughput. Intel Intelligent Power Capability Manages power consumption of all execution units in the core to optimize energy usage. Intel Advanced Smart Cache A power-optimized cache that reduces latency to data, improving performance and power efficiency. Intel Smart Memory Access Optimizes use of data bandwidth, hiding memory latency and improving system performance. Intel Advanced Digital Media Boost Doubles performance of streaming instructions (SSE/SSE2/SSE3) by executing complete 128-bit instructions in one clock cycle, instead of two cycles as in previous microarchitectures.

64-bit Entry-Level Single Socket Workstation Platform

Platform Technologies
8.5 GB/s

Flexible I/O Technology

PCI Express* x16 Graphics Port OR PCI Express x8 Graphics Port

8 GB/s (bi-directional)

DDR2 Intel 975X Express Chipset

10.7 GB/s

Intel 64 Architecture

Execute Disable Bit Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology Intel Memory Pipeline Technology Intel Flex Memory Technology Intel Matrix Storage Technology4 Intel Active Management Technology5

4 GB/s (bi-directional)

DDR2 PCI Express x8 Graphics Port

4 GB/s (bi-directional) Direct Media Interface 2 GB/s

4 Serial ATA Ports

3 GB/s (each)

60 MB/s

8 Hi-Speed USB+ 2.0 Ports

1 PCI Express x4 Port

2 GB/s (bi-directional)

Intel 82801GR (ICH7R)

133 MT/s

6 PCI Ports

2 PCI Express x1 Port

500 MB/s (bi-directional) 100 MB/s

Intel High Denition Audio

Gigabit Ethernet

Intel PRO/1000 PM LAN Connection (82573E)

Legacy ATA 100

The Intel 975X Express chipset, with Intel Memory Pipeline Technology, accelerates transfers between the processor and system memory by reducing memory latency and fine tuning memory bank selection based on memory configuration. With Intel Memory Pipeline Technology and other advanced features, including DDR2 memory and dual PCI Express* graphics ports, workstation platforms based on the Intel Core 2 Extreme processor and the Intel 975X Express chipset deliver up to a 1.81x performance improvement over previous generation platforms. (see performance graph, page 6) Workstation platforms based on the Intel 975X Express chipset can be paired with single- dual-, or quad-core Intel processors to

meet your performance/price needs. For more budget-sensitive companies, the Intel 975X Express chipset supports the Intel Pentium D processor and the Intel Pentium 4 processor supporting Hyper-Threading Technology,2 offering performance and value in a cost-effective combination. These processors with the Intel 975X Express chipset support Intel 64 architecture. Intel 64 architecture allows workstation platforms to process larger data sets or models, increase memory capacity, and execute both 32- and 64-bit applications, helping to ensure the smooth migration of your business solutions to 64-bit computing.

Intel 975X Express Chipset-based Workstation Platform Overview

You can depend on Intel to deliver workstation platforms with higher levels of stability, performance, and reliability.
Feature 1066/800 MHz System Bus Intel 64 Architecture Intel Core2 Extreme, Intel Core2 Duo and Intel Core2 Quad Processor Support Dual-Channel DDR2 Memory with ECC Support Intel Memory Pipeline Technology optimizes workstation application performance by accelerating memory transfers, reducing memory latency, and fine tuning memory bank selection based on memory configuration Intel Flex Memory Technology facilitates easier upgrades by allowing different memory sizes to be populated and remain in dual-channel performance mode ECC for data integrity protection PCI Express* Interface x16 PCI Express graphics interface designed to accommodate workstation graphics performance Delivers increased graphics performance over bridged solutions Flexible I/O technology to support dual graphics controllers Configurable Intel I/O Controller Hub (ICH7R) 1x4/2x1 PCI Express ports to meet higher I/O workstation demands Integrated Serial ATA Controller Intel Matrix Storage Technology4 Intel Active Management Technology
5

Benefit Platform longevity and increased platform performance with support for high-performance Intel processors meet the demands of workstation environments Runs 64-bit code and accesses larger amounts of memory, while also capable of running existing 32-bit applications Intel Core microarchitecture provides increased performance with lower power consumption than previous generations

Facilitates high-speed storage and data transfers up to 3 Gb/s per SATA drive Boosts storage performance with RAID 0 while protecting data with RAID 1 on the same disk. RAID 5 and 10 provide both increased data protection and performance Helps improve IT efficiency by providing remote workstation/client down-the-wire management to allow asset management, out-of-band management, and diagnostics regardless of system state Supports up to 8 channels at 192 kHz/32-bit sound without requiring a separate audio card

Intel High Definition Audio

Enhance Performance for I/O-Intensive Applications with PCI Express*

PCI Express (PCIe*) is todays standard, high-performance input/ output (I/O) interface. PCIe matches the performance capabilities of high-speed processors with faster I/O, creating a highly balanced workstation platform that does not slow your work down.The Intel 975X Express chipset integrates PCIe support. The PCIe graphics interface in the Intel 975X Express chipset delivers up to 8 GB/s bi-directional peak bandwidth, accommodating your demanding workstation projects and offering better graphics performance than traditional PCI*-bridged solutions. The PCIe x16 graphics port can be bifurcated into two x8 graphics ports for dual-graphics performance in multimedia creation. The Intel I/O Controller Hub (ICH7R), part of the Intel 975X Express chipset, provides one x4 (2 GB/s bi-directional peak bandwidth) and two x1 (500 MB/s bi-directional peak bandwidth per link) PCIe interfaces to meet higher workstation I/O adapter demands. Entry-Level Workstation Performance
on Intel 975X Express Chipset-based Platforms
(Higher is better)

Graphics design, mechanical modeling, digital content creation, and many other compute-intensive applications need all the computing and graphics capability your workstation can provide.

SPECint*_rate_base2000 (est.)
1.0 1.81

SPECfp*_rate_base2000 (est.)
1.0 1.24

SPECapc* for 3ds max 7 Rendering (est.)

1.0 1.74

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Intel Core2 Extreme Processor X6800 (2.93 GHz, 4M, dual core) Intel Core2 Extreme Processor QX6700 (2.66 GHz, 8M, quad core), features 4 MB smart cache per core pair

System Configurations
Source: Intel Corporation internal measurements as of October 4, 2006. TR#664. SPECint*_rate_base2000, SPECfp*_rate_base 2000, andSPECapc* for 3ds max* 7 (Rendering) System Configuration Details. Dual-Core: Intel Core2 Duo Processor X6800 System Configuration: Intel internal reference platform using Intel 975X Express Chipset, Intel Core2 Extreme Processor X6800 (2.93 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2 cache), 4x 1 GB DDR2-667, Microsoft* Windows* XP Professional SP1, NVIDIA* Quadro* FX3450 PCle* x16 video card driver 84.24, Seagate* 120 GB SATA2 HDD. Quad-Core: Intel Core2 Extreme Processor QX6700 System Configuration: Intel internal reference platform using Intel 975X Express Chipset, Intel Core2 Extreme Processor QX6700 (2.66 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 2x4 MB L2 cache), 4x 1 GB DDR2-667, Microsoft* Windows* XP Professional SP1, NVIDIA* Quadro* FX3450 PCle* x16 video card driver 84.24, Seagate* 120 GB SATA2 HDD. More information available at www.intel.com/performance.

Defend Against Downtime, Manage and Protect Your Critical Data and Assets with Intel Technologies
Workstation platforms based on the Intel 975X Express chipset and supported processors help protect your business data and operations with multiple technology layers across the system. Execute Disable Bit
When combined with a supporting operating system, Execute Disable Bit can prevent certain buffer overflow virus attacks. Some worms create a flow of code that overwhelms the processor, allowing the worm to propagate itself to the network and other computers. With Execute Disable Bit, the processor classifies areas in memory where application code can and cannot execute. The buffer is a disallowed space. When a malicious worm attempts to insert code in the buffer, the processor disables code execution, preventing damage and propagation.

Intel Matrix Storage Technology

Built into the Intel I/O Controller Hub (ICH7R), Intel Matrix Storage Technology uses RAID 0, 1, 5, or 10 and the latest high-speed SATA interface to deliver accelerated hard drive access and advanced data protection. Intel Matrix Storage Technology improves system availability with increased fault tolerance or redundancy and recovery of your critical data in the event of a hard drive failurewithout disruption to your business. RAID 0 uses disk striping, which divides data into blocks, or stripes, and spreads them across multiple physical disks. RAID 0 helps improve read and write performance, but does not offer fault tolerance. RAID 1 uses disk mirroring to write a complete copy of all data on a second hard drive. RAID 1 provides fault tolerance and often improves read performance, but write performance can suffer in single-disk-controller configurations. RAID 5 uses data striping similar to RAID 0, but it adds parity to the data striping, which delivers better fault tolerance. RAID 5 stores the parity information on a physical disk separate from the one that stores data blocks. RAID 5 provides good read and write performance but a lower level of redundancy than RAID 1. RAID 10 (a combination of RAID 1 and RAID 0) uses a striped array of disks, but fully mirrors the striped data set. RAID 10 delivers the best performance of all of the RAID levels.
4

IntelActive Management Technology

Intel Active Management Technology5 (Intel AMT) gives your IT technicians easy, remote access to your workstations for auditing, diagnostics, upgrades, and maintenance, reducing or eliminating costly deskside visits. Intel Active Management Technology lets you: Remotely discover all your hardware and software computer assets Remotely diagnose and heal systems regardless of the OS or system state Protect your system from specific malicious software attacks Intel AMT addresses the top issues faced by IT managers: locating and managing computing assets, reducing system maintenance costs, and preventing viruses and worms, all of which increase your total cost of ownership (TCO). Intel Active Management Technology is supported in Intel 975X Express chipset platforms when coupled with Intel PRO/1000 PM LAN Connection.

Error Correction Code (ECC)

ECC improves data integrity, reliability, and system uptime, by detecting multibit errors and locating and correcting single-bit errors.

For more information visit www.intel.com/products/server/chipsets

7

www.intel.com

1. Compared to workstation platforms equipped with Intel Pentium D processor 950 with HT Technology and an Intel 955X Express chipset. 2. Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel Pentium 4 processor supporting HyperThreading Technology and an HT Technology-enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading/ for more information including details on which processors support HT Technology. 3. 64-bit Intel Core2 Duo Processors and 64-bit Intel Pentium D Processors require a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, OS, device drivers, and applications enabled for Intel 64 architecture. Processor will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel 64-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on your hardware and software configurations. Intel 64-enabled OS, BIOS, device drivers, and applications may not be available. Check with your vendor for more information. 4. Intel Matrix Storage Technology requires a motherboard with the Intel 82801GR (ICH7R) I/O Controller Hub System. The system must also have the RAID controller in the BIOS enabled and the Intel Matrix Storage Technology software driver installed. Please consult your system vendor for more information. 5. Intel Active Management Technology requires a system with an Intel 975X Express Chipset, Intel PRO/1000 PM Network Connection and appropriate third-party software. The system must be plugged into a power source and connected to a LAN. Performance tests and ratings are measured using specific computer systems and/or components and reflect the approximate performance of Intel products as measured by those tests. Any difference in system hardware or software design or configuration may affect actual performance. Buyers should consult other sources of information to evaluate the performance of systems or components they are considering purchasing. For more information on performance tests and on the performance of Intel products, visit www.intel.com/performance/resources/limits.htm. Relative performance for each benchmark is calculated by taking the actual benchmark result for the first platform tested and assigning it a value of 1.0 as a baseline. Relative performance for the remaining platforms tested was calculated by dividing the actual benchmark result for the baseline platform into each of the specific benchmark results of each of the other platforms and assigning them a relative performance number that correlates with the performance improvements reported. Copyright 2006 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, Intel logo, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Duo logo, Core inside, Pentium inside, Intel. Leap ahead., Intel. Leap ahead. logo, Intel SpeedStep, and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries.

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Printed in the United States. 1106/KSW/HBD/PP/PDF 313862-002US