Dell PowerEdge update includes 96-core server

New machines aimed at high-performance computing applications

Dell has updated its PowerEdge server line with 17 new models, including a system sporting 96 processor cores.

The PowerEdge C6145 rack-mount server uses a two-unit chassis to house two server nodes, each supporting up to four processor sockets.

When maxed out, the C6145 can use AMD Opteron 6000 series processors to offer a configuration of 96 processing cores and 1TB of memory.

Dell is targeting the system at traditional high-performance computing fields, such as video rendering and large-scale virtualisation deployments. The C6145 is expected to reach the market by the end of the month.

The PowerEdge revamp also includes tower, blade and rack-mount servers running on Intel's Xeon 5600 chips.

Dell estimates that the Xeon processors will boost performance by as much as 33.9 per cent over PowerEdge systems running current 5600 series processors, and by 67 per cent compared to the Xeon 5500 line.

Dell is also offering AMD Opteron 6000 processors in its R715 and R815 rack-mount server models.

"PowerEdge servers help improve business productivity while prioritising technology spending within decreasing budgets," said Dell server platforms vice president and general manager Forrest Norrod. "The workload these systems can handle is outstanding."