The processor, also known as the Central Processing Unit, or CPU, is the primary engine of the computer. Different processor architectures take different approaches to performance such that similar performing processors may have very different clock speeds. Within a single processor design faster clock speeds, larger caches, more cores and more processors generally improve performance. 64-bit capable processors and worksations are highly recommended for working on large or complex workloads with applications that have been designed for 64-bit operating systems.

The Processors

		The Intel® Xeon™ Processor for the HP xw6600 and HP xw8600 Workstations are designed for performance. Delivering a choice of either the Quad-Core Intel (R) Xeon(R) 5400 Sequence processors or the Dual-core Intel(R) Xeon(R) 5200 sequence processors, the Intel (R) Xeon (R) Processor offering provides the highest level of performance and expandability. Intel's 5400 next-generation, high-end performance chipset for Intel Xeon processors supports 1333 dual system bus, a 4 channel 667 MHz Fully Buffered DIMM (FBDIMM) memory subsystem, and support for dual PCI Express x16 graphics. (For the ultimate performance, the HP xw8600 workstations is available with optional Xeon quad-core processors with a 1600 MHz front side bus and support for 800 MHz FBDIMM memory technology.)
		With Intel® Core™2 Duo processors powering your HP xw4600 workstation you'll get the latest arsenal of performance-rich technologies, including up to 6 MB of shared L2 cache and up to 1333 MHz front side bus.
		Double your HP xw4600 processing cores with the Intel® Core™2 Quad processors with up to 2 x 6 MB of shared L2 cache and up to 1333 MHz Front Side Bus.
		Take your xw4600 workstation to the next level with the Intel® Core™ Extreme quad-core processors for the highest level of single-socket workstation-level processing. This option provides 2 x 6 MB shared L2 cache and 1333 MHz in the front-side bus performance.
		The high performance of the AMD Opteron® 1000 and 2000 series processor, featured on the xw4550 and xw9400 HP Workstations, respectively, feature AMD Direct Connect Architecture, AMD64 and HyperTransport Technology, as well as 800 MHz, 1 GHz and Dual or Quad core options.

What are the benefits of Multiple Core Processors?
HP workstations with Dual-Core and Quad-Core processors are designed to help achieve:

• Greater parallelism
• Increased compute capacity in the same footprint
• Shorter project cycle times
• Increased capabilities to perform mission-critical operations in a supportive, reliable, multi-threaded, multitasking environment

Why are Multiple Core Processors so important?
Multi-core processors (multiple processor cores contained in a single package) are becoming increasingly important due to the limitations that artists, engineers, and analysts are currently encountering with regard to both the number of tasks needing to be executed as well as the need to perform more complex analysis. Adding additional processing elements, within the same processor socket, enables the size and complexity of the designs to be increased allowing more accurate and photo-realistic results. It also allows more complex analysis to be performed. Adding additional processing elements also allows the user to perform a greater number of tasks at the same time. Coupling these two benefits (greater complexity and greater number of tasks) together will cause a dramatic improvement how people get their work done.