A new quad-core 8 thread SPARC64 VII processor operating at 2.88GHz are now available on all M8000/M9000 servers and offered as field-install X-options and upgrades. It includes 6MB L2 cache. The 2.88GHz SPARC64 VII quad-core options can be mixed and matched in the SPARC Enterprise M8000 and M9000 servers with the current SPARC64 VI (2.28 or 2.4GHz) and SPARC64 VII (2.52GHz) options.

Each processor consists of four SPARC V9 cores with two simultaneous threads per core. SPARC64 VII is built with an advanced 65nm Cu 10-layer process technology for high speed and density. Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) improves throughput on the SPARC64 VII. This multithreaded technology enables the multithreaded control instructions to run in parallel across both threads in a core. There is no thread context switch time and the two threads in the core share the instruction pipeline smoothly. SMT increases the CPU throughput from 40 to 80 percent, Sun reports, while L2 cache misses are hidden very effectively using SMT technology.

Additionally, the processor/memory boards (CMU) supporting 2.88GHz SPARC64 VII now include an enhanced memory controller (MAC+) that provides increased throughput performance, improved memory bandwidth and single-thread performance. Sun says the combination of the new 2.88GHz SPARC64 VII processors installed on MAC+ CMU boards provide up to a 25% overall performance improvement from the current SPARC64 VII 2.52GHz CMUs.

Solaris 10 5/09 is the recommended minimum version for SPARC Enterprise servers using 2.88GHz SPARC64 VII options. Earlier versions of Solaris (update 8/07 or 5/08) can be supported with 2.88GHz options if Solaris 10 Maintenance Update 8 (MU 8) is applied to the system. Also, 2.88GHz SPARC64 VII options can be supported with Solaris 10 10/08.

All current Sun SPARC Enterprise M8000 and M9000 CMU boards will support the SPARC64 VII 2.88GHz processor modules. However, Sun strongly recommended upgrading the CMU board to get the full performance improvement with the enhanced MAC+ memory controller.

Those interested in upgrading should consult the Sun Upgrade Advantage Program (UAP), which offers a comprehensive trade-in program for the Sun SPARC Enterprise CPU/Memory (CMU) board. Trade-in allowances of up to 20% are available.

The Sun Services Enterprise Installation Service (EIS) is also available for this product.

U.S. export restrictions do apply. A M9000-64 system that is to be equipped with 62 or more SPARC64VII 2.52GHz CPUs or 54 or more SPARC64VII 2.88GHz CPUs means the system will have an Adjusted Peak Performance Weighted TeraFLOP (WT) greater than the current 0.75 WT threshold. Therefore, systems with greater than 0.75 WT will require an export license to ship to "Tier 3" countries.

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