Intel Corporation launched a new upgraded processor series designed to combine new security, performance and energy efficiency features. Intel's Xeon Processor 5600 series. The new processors are intended to deliver two new security features - Intel Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (Intel AES-NI), and Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT), which enable faster encryption and decryption performance for more secure transactions and virtualized environments.

"New security capabilities will boost the confidence of IT managers," says Kirk Skaugen, vice president and general manager of the Intel Architecture Group. "Improvements in performance, server virtualization and power consumption will foster productivity and efficiency for a broad range of applications ranging from data transactions to workstations performing medical imaging and digital
prototyping."

These are also the first server chips based on the new Intel 32nm logic technology, which uses Intel's second-generation high-k metal gate transistors to increase speed and decrease energy consumption. The Intel Xeon Processor 5600 series supports up to six cores per processor and delivers up to 60 percent greater performance than the 45nm Intel Xeon processor 5500 series. In addition, data centers can replace 15 single-core servers with a single new one, and achieve a return on their investment in as little as five months.

Intel also says data centers will also benefit from the power efficiency of its new 5600 chips. A two-socket server using the new low-voltage Intel Xeon processor L5640 can deliver the same performance as a server using the previous generation's champion; the Intel Xeon processors X5570 series, but with up to 30 percent lower platform power.

The Intel Xeon processor 5600 series includes Intel AES-NI, a new set of instructions first introduced with the new 2010 Intel Core processor family. These instructions accelerate AES performance to enable faster data encryption and decryption for a wide range of applications such as database encryption
features, full disk encryption and secure internet transactions.

For more information, visit the Intel website.