The launch of Intel Xeon 5,600 series microprocessors on Tuesday created a buzz. This is the company's first six-core server processor.

Xeon 5,600 is built on Intel's 32 nm technology that aids in enhancement of performance and also conserves power a lot better than its predecessors. It saves up to 60 per cent of energy.

A set of tri-chips for embedded systems with a 32-nanometer processor technology and aggregation of 15 products make a Xeon 5,600. Apart from the speed enhancement, security is also guaranteed by a set of instructions that deliver faster data encryption and decryption.

This feature is supported by Intel's TXT processor-based security shield. The improved power settings use low voltage, six-core L5,640 chip with up to 30 per cent less power consumption.

5,600 Series is code named as Westmere and comes at a price range of $530 to $958 each in quantities of 1,000. This new product will hit stores by the month's end.

Intel's six-core server processors will face heat from AMD's (Advanced Micro Devices) 8 and 12-core Opteron chips i. e. the Magny-Cours. Hope it is ready to face that.