List of Server Processors
Opteron
AMD's Opteron is a 64-bit microprocessor aimed at the server market. It was the first processor to implement the x86-64 instruction set (2003) allowing the Opteron to natively run 64-bit applications as well as legacy 32-bit x86 code. As a result, it has enjoyed greater success in the marketplace compared to previous 64-bit microprocessors such as DEC's Alpha and Intel's Itanium.
Other features include an integrated memory controller and the HyperTransport serial memory interface instead of front side busses (FSB).
Xeon
Xeon processors are Intel's server-class x86 compatible mircroprocessors. Introduced in 1998, a 64-bit version debuted in 2004 and a dual-core version in 2005. As of yet, Xeons do not have integrated memory controllers and still rely upon front side busses to connect to memory. Xeons rely upon larger amounts of cache memory to compete with Opterons. Intel is expected to replace FSB with QuickPath in 2008.
Itanium
Intel introduced the 64-bit Itanium in 2001 targeting the enterprise market, but its poor performance at running x86 applications led most manufacturers choosing to develop Opteron or Xeon based servers instead.
The Itanium utilizes Very Long Instruction Words (VLIW) in order to execute several instructions simultaneously. Itaniums currently have the best floating point performance of general purpose microprocessors.
POWER
IBM's POWER series of processors are RISC microprocessors. They were introduced in the early 90s with several revisions since. Currently, the POWER6 microprocessors are 64-bit, dual core processors.
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