1. Source: Performance comparison using geometric mean of SPECint*_rate_base2006, SPECfp*_rate_base2006, STREAM*_MP Triad, and Linpack* benchmark results. Baseline geometric mean score of 166.75 on previous-generation 2S Intel® Xeon® processor X5690 platform based on best published SPECrate* scores to www.spec.org and best Intel internal measurements on STREAM*_MP Triad and Linpack as of December 5, 2011. New geometric mean score of 306.74 based on Intel internal measured estimates using an Intel platform with two Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2690, Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology enabled, with Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology, 128 GB RAM, Red Hat* Enterprise Linux Server 6.1 beta for x86_6, Intel® Compiler 12.1, THP disabled for SPECfp_rate_base2006 and THP enabled for SPECint*_rate_base2006.

2. Software and workloads used in performance tests may have been optimized for performance only on Intel® microprocessors. Performance tests, such as SYSmark* and MobileMark*, are measured using specific computer systems, components, software, operations, and functions. Any change to any of those factors may cause the results to vary. You should consult other information and performance tests to assist you in fully evaluating your contemplated purchases, including the performance of that product when combined with other products.

3. Intel measurements of average time for an I/O device read to local system memory under idle conditions. Improvement compares Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2600 product family (230 ns) vs. Intel Xeon processor 5500 series (340 ns). Baseline Configuration: An Intel system with two Intel® Xeon processor E5520 (2.26GHz, 4C), 12GB memory @ 1333, C-States disabled, Intel® Turbo Boost Technology disabled, SMT disabled, Rubicon* PCIe* 2.0 x8. New Configuration: Meridian system with two Intel® Xeon processor E5-2665 (C0 stepping, 2.4GHz, 8C), 32GB memory @1600 MHz, C-States enabled, Intel® Turbo Boost Technology enabled. The measurements were taken with a LeCroy* PCIe* protocol analyzer using Intel internal Rubicon (PCIe* 2.0) and Florin (PCIe* 3.0) test cards running under Windows* 2008 R2 with SP1.

4. Performance comparison using SPECfp*_rate_base2006 benchmark result at the same TDP. Baseline score of 271 on previous-generation 2S Intel® Xeon® processor X5690 based on best publication to www.spec.org using Intel® Compiler 12.1 as of January 17, 2012. For details, please see:  http://www.spec.org/cpu2006/results/res2012q1/cpu2006-20111219-19195.html. New score of 466 based on Intel internal measured estimates using an Intel platform, code named Canoe Pass, with two Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2680, Intel® Turbo Boost Technology enabled, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology enabled, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology enabled, 64 GB RAM, Intel® Compiler 12.1, THP disabled, Red Hat* Enterprise Linux Server 6.1.