Updated Intel has begun shipping 'Dempsey', its Xeon DP 5000 series of dual-core server processors equipped with 4MB of cache and sporting Intel's new LGA-771 interconnect. The processors were first shown in public almost a year ago and come a month before the next-generation architecture Xeon - aka 'Woodcrest' - is due to launch.

Eight CPUs comprise the 5000 series line-up, clocked from 2.5GHz up to 3.73GHz. The first four processors - the 5020, 5030, 5040 and 5050 all run on a 667MHz frontside bus and have a 95W thermal envelope.

All the chips support Intel's HyperThreading technology and Virtualisation Technology. The lower-end parts support Demand Based Switching (DBS), a feature apparently missing from the higher-end models, according to Intel's website. The 95W parts use Extended SpeedStep to get the overall power draw down.

As yet, Intel istelf has not formally announced the launch of the 5000 series - the parts have yet to be added to its public price list, for instance. That the parts are now available was claimed this morning by Japanese-language website PCWatch citing Intel itself.

The chip giant is expected to launch Woodcrest as the Xeon DP 5100 series on 25 June.

Intel last updated its Xeon line exactly a month ago on 23 April, adding 'Sossaman', its low-power 65nm dual-core Xeon processor clocked at 1.67GHz and 2GHz. Aimed at high-density servers, the chips are based on the 'Yonah' mobile now better known as the Core Duo.

At the time, Intel also introduced the dual-core Xeon MP 7000 series all based on the 90nm 'Paxville' core. ®

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