Testing the latest x86 rack servers and low power server CPUs

Benchmark Configuration and Methodology

All our benchmarks are run on VMware ESX 4.0 build 164009. Database files are on one Intel X25-E SLC 32GB SSD, with log files on another Intel X25-E SLC 32GB. The AMD Opteron based machines had one extra DIMM (16GB instead of 12GB), but this did not influence the performance results. We also compensated in the power consumption numbers by subtracting the power consumption of one DIMM (5W at full load).

I'd also like to send out a big thanks to my colleague Tijl Deneut for his assistance with the power testing!

1U ASUS RS700D6-RS4 Duo
Dual Intel Xeon "Gainestown" X5570 2.93GHz, Dual Intel Xeon L5520 2.26GHz
Bios version June 15, 2009
12GB (3x4GB) 1066MHz Kingston KVR1066D3R4R7SK3
PSU: 2 times (one per node) 770W Delta Electronics DPS-770AB

1U Chenbro RM13204 Chassis
Dual Intel Xeon "Gainestown" X5570 2.93GHz, Dual Intel Xeon L5520 2.26GHz
Intel Willowbrook S5500WB motherboard, BIOS from June 3, 2009
12GB (3x4GB) 1066MHz Kingston KVR1066D3R4R7SK3
PSU: 450W YH-2451-0AA01R

2U Supermicro Twin² (1U nodes)
Dual Intel Xeon "Gainestown" X5570 2.93GHz, Dual Intel Xeon L5520 2.26GHz
X8DDTT-IBXF, BIOS version R 1.0 c, June 15, 2009
12GB (3x4GB) 1066MHz Kingston KVR1066D3R4R7SK3
PSU: 2x1200W

Supermicro A+ Server 1021M-UR+V
Dual Opteron 2435 "Istanbul" 2.6GHz
Dual quad-core Opteron 2377 EE 2.3GHz
Dual Opteron 2384 2.7GHz
Dual Opteron 2389 2.9GHz
Supermicro H8DMU+, BIOS version June 18, 2009
16GB (4x4GB) 800MHz
PSU: 650W Cold Watt HE Power Solutions CWA2-0650-10-SM01-1

APUS and Oracle Calling Circle Client Configuration
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
Foxconn P35AX-S
4GB (2x2GB) Kingston DDR2-667
NIC: Intel PRO/1000

Power was measured at the wall by two devices: the Extech 38081…

…and the Ingrasys iPoman II 1201. A big thanks to Roel De Frene of Triple S for letting us test this unit.

The Extech device allows us track power consumption each second, the iPoman only each minute. With the Supermicro Twin², we wanted to measure four servers at once, and the iPoman device was handy for measuring power consumption of several server nodes at once. We double-checked power consumption readings with the Extech 38081.