Itanium and Xeon both are microprocessors produced by Intel. The microprocessor is the data processing and control by a small amount of single integrated circuits. The microprocessor is a clock-driven, register-based, digital integrated circuit that helps in binary data. Intel manufactures both Itanium and Xeon. The difference between these two microprocessors is given below to understand their advantages and disadvantages.
Key Takeaways
- Itanium is a line of processors developed by Intel for high-performance computing.
- Xeon is a line of processors produced by Intel for servers and workstations.
- Itanium processors are designed for specific applications and have a different architecture than Xeon processors.
Itanium vs Xeon
The Itanium microprocessor uses IA-64 architecture, whereas the Xeon uses X86 architecture. The executing capacity of Xeon is also higher than that of Itanium. The Itanium will be discontinued in 2021. The Xeon microprocessor was released in the market in 1998 before Itanium.
The itanium microprocessor was released in the market in June 2001. It used IA-64 architecture and was manufactured by Intel. It has been made many upgrades, and the latest Itanium microprocessor model is the Itanium. Its maximum CPU clock rate was 733 MHz to 800 MHz. This microprocessor’s FSB (Front Side Bus) speed is 780 MT/sec. One feature of Itanium is also the smart compiler. The compiler is software used to compile and execute the programs.
Xeon microprocessor works on X86 architecture. It is the most updated and holds a great level in the market. This microprocessor is available in dual-core as well as multicore. In dual-core, it has 5 five versions; in multicore and quadcore, it has six versions. It creates fewer problems in adapting both old and new technologies and appliances. Nowadays, its production is increased to meet the market needs.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Itanium | Xeon |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | IA-64 | X86 |
| Capability of executing | One instruction per cycle | Six instructions per cycle |
| Adapting new technologies | It lags in comparison to Xeon. | It leads in comparison to Itanium. |
| Adapting old applications | Less capability creates more problem. | High capacity and creates minimal problems |
| Amount of production | Less quantity production | Large quantity production |
What is Itanium?
Itanium microprocessor was released in the market in June 2001. Itanium uses IA-64 architecture. It was manufactured by Intel. It was mainly targeted for high-end servers and high-performance computing. It has been made many upgrades, and the latest Itanium microprocessor model is the Itanium.
Its maximum CPU clock rate was 733 MHz to 800 MHz. The FSB (Front Side Bus) speed of this microprocessor is 780 MT/sec. The Itanium microprocessor is also used in supercomputers. One out of ten supercomputers has an Itanium microprocessor. This microprocessor supports operating systems such as Windows, Gentoo Linux, etc.
One feature of Itanium is also the smart compiler. The compiler is software used to compile and execute the programs. This high-speed compiler has the ability to execute more instructions per cycle. The updated versions of this microprocessor have this feature of executing more instructions, so it has been more advanced in comparison to the previous versions.
The Itanium has been updated many times, like, after the first version of Itanium 2001, the next version came to the market in 2002 with some latest features. After that, the next version appeared in the market in 2010 as Itanium 9300, and the latest version of Itanium was released in 2017 as Itanium 9700 (Kittson).
Some Itanium based systems were manufactured by Hewlett Packard Enterprises/ HP and several other manufacturers. The Itanium was discontinued in 2021 due to its decreased value in the market.
What is Xeon?
Xeon microprocessor works on X86 architecture. It is the most updated and holds a great level in the market. It creates fewer problems in adapting both old and new technologies and appliances. Nowadays, its production is increased to meet the market needs.
This microprocessor is available in dual-core as well as multicore. In dual-core, it has 5 five versions; in multicore and quadcore, it has six versions. This microprocessor was designed keeping in mind the needed features by the non-consumer workshops and the embedded systems. This microprocessor’s features can also fulfill the needs of the servers it is made for.
This microprocessor comes with a high level of execution properties. It can execute six instructions in a cycle. One of the main reasons for its popularity is the feature of acceptance of both newer and older appliances and technologies. A particular microprocessor is made to cope with a particular version of the system. But if it can also accept newer technologies, its rate moves up high in the corresponding market due to dual applications.
The Xeon microprocessor is very popular and is getting updated with new versions. These new versions are advanced with more high-quality facilities to win the heart of the users. The Xeon microprocessor comes in dual-core as well as multicore in its new versions.
Main Differences Between Itanium and Xeon
- Itanium works on IA-64 architecture, and the Xeon works on X86 architecture.
- Itanium has the capacity to execute one instruction per cycle, and on the other hand, the Xeon has the power to execute six instructions per cycle.
- Itanium lags in adopting newer technologies, but Xenon does not lag in this situation.
- Itanium also has less capability to adopt old applications and creates many problems. Xeon has minimal problems when working with old applications.
- Itanium has a low production rate as compared to Xeon. The Itanium will be discontinued in 2021.
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/877948/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7453080/
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