The Opteron 6100 Series processors provide 8 to 12 cores and a new level of value. They have four memory channels and handle up to twelve DDR3 DIMMs per chip. The ICs have advanced Direct Connect Architecture 2.0 yielding up to 33% increase in chip to chip connect speed in four socket configurations and 4 x 16 links at up to 6.4 GT/s per link.

The 12-core 2.2 GHz model 6174 yields SPECint throughput performance of 386 in a two socket server with an 80 W average CPU power (ACP) - about the same power as the 6-core previous generation, while giving 61% more performance. The processors have Advanced Platform Management that allows remote monitoring and control of power-state limits. The devices have a 65 to 105 W ACP. ($266 to $1386 ea./1,000 available now.)