Faster Pentium II, Part II
Newer Pentium IIs will also improve system performance by
using high-speed cache memory that runs at a faster speed.
For example, a 300-MHz processor would communicate with
cache memory at 300 MHz, instead of the 150 MHz it does
now. Memory chip performance is also expected to jump.
Where the higher data path speeds and faster processors will
offer a significant advantage, Gwenapp says, is for users who
access databases frequently, or edit large images in
applications, or often manipulate large files. This raises the
possibility that some large corporate customers may wait for
better performance.
Already, International Data Corporation says that sales of
high-end PC servers declined slightly last year as customers
postponed purchases as they wait for Intel to release the
faster "Deschutes" Pentium II processors. As part of this
new crop of Pentium IIs, some will be available for use in
four-processor server systems. Currently, the Pentium II
architecture is limited to two-processor configurations.
Nathan Brookwood, a processor market analyst with
Dataquest, expects the market for server computers to see a
significant upturn because of the large increase in performance
future versions of the Pentium II and the faster bus will offer.
However, he doesn't expect a significant number of consumer
or corporate desktop users to postpone purchases.
"In the server space, I would expect to see a giant leap
forward in terms of performance," Brookwood says. Because
of these improvements, "Intel will start to eat into more of the
server business that was being served by RISC platforms
from Sun (SUNW) and Digital (DEC). |
