First Intel Core i7 Servers Announced

Visionman Computers has launched the very first server featuring Intel's Core i7 processor.

According to a press release distributed by Visionman this morning, its Acserva ViXone7 family of servers is the first to use Intel's "Nehalem" technology. It's also the first to "re-introduce" hyper-threading, the technology that allows each core to process two threads simultaneously (meaning Windows and Linux read eight cores from the four physical CPU cores). The servers are also an industry first in offering triple-channel memory support, slamming the CPU with 4.8 giga-transfers per second. The Acserva Core i7 servers are built with small to medium businesses in mind, and start at $1799.99.

“Visionman is proud to bring the first Acserva Core i7 servers to market, a full quarter ahead of the mainstream Intel launch,” said Tre’ Cates, President and CEO of Silicon Mountain Holdings.  “Visionman will continue to innovate by delivering solutions ahead of the market, allowing our customers to become more efficient and productive in their chosen industries, ahead of their competition.”

By heading here on Visionman's website, consumers will see that the cheaper model is capable of up to 24GB of DDR-1333 memory (with 3GB installed), supports RAID o,1,5,0+1, supports port teaming (insert Shawshank Redemption reference here), 8 USB 2.0 ports (an expandable to 10) and even features dual integrated 10/100/1000 gigabit LAN connection. The server takes advantage the Intel Core i7-920 2.66GHz Quad Core processor, mounted in the supermicro X8SAX motherboard (with the Intel X58/ICH10R chipset). There's also 4 Western Digital 250GB SATA-II Raid Edition hard drives thrown in for all those "personal files" no one wants found on their local (and networked) PCs.

Surprisingly enough, the graphics portion utilizes NVidia's 8400GS GPU for those special "power point" presentations viewed late after business hours. Visionman also states that memory modules are installed in banks of three, "increasing throughput and efficiency on the faster QuickPath Interconnect." With this machine, businesses can effectively run two operating systems at the same time, working as independent virtual machines. This works great for IT managers wanting to create a single build for various environments. Visionman said that all server models come with optional remote management capabilities as well as a SAS based storage system allowing 24x7 use.

Visionman's other Core i7 offering, costing $1999.99, comes with 6GB EC DDR3-1333 RAM installed and 4 Western Digital 500GB SATA-II Raid Edition hard drives. Both machines support WOL, WOR, and PXE. Oh, it has a "floppy" drive, too. Go figure (those were, like, so 90s).

"In early November of this year, Intel introduced its first CPU releases based upon the Intel Core i7 platform to rave reception from high performance desktop users and gaming enthusiasts," said the company. "The Intel core i7 processor was actually designed with high performance server applications in mind and Intel plans to officially launch their server-focused, Xeon branded offering based on the Core i7 platform in Q1-2009."

Apparently, Visionman beat Intel to the server market. The company, a subsidiary of Silicon Mountain Holdings, has been around since 1994, selling gaming systems, notebooks and servers to businesses and home users alike. Those who order the server now will receive a DVD containing 100 games, and will also ship the machine in 3 to 5 business days.