Supermicro debuts new compact Intel Xeon Processor D based products and complete servers/storage solutions at Embedded World, Nuremberg

Posted by Paul Braren on Feb 23 2016 (updated on Feb 24 2016) in
  • Virtualization
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    • 3 Comments

    Preliminary pricing info is starting to appear, read more below.

    Supermicro Press Release

    Today's Supermicro Press release has all the details about the debut of 12 and 16 core Xeon D-1500 systems and motherboards:

    “The new Intel Xeon processor D product family brings advanced technologies and performance into a dense, low-power system-on-a-chip architecture, extending intelligence to the data center and network edge,” said Lisa Spelman, Vice President of Marketing, Data Center Group, Intel Corporation. “With Supermicro’s embedded solutions expertise and broad integration of Intel Xeon Processor D-1500 across their server and storage products, we are delivering powerful, agile, and scalable solutions to enable new embedded, IoT, and Data Center ecosystems.”

    press160223_Embedded_World_Nuremberg
    Click twice for a much closer look.

    Read all about Supermicro Embedded Solutions:

    What about mini-towers with 12 or 16 core Xeon D motherboards?

    In other words, does the Intel Xeon D-1587 - 16 cores, 32 threads, 24 MB of cache X10SDV-16C+-TLN4F motherboard with a CPU fan that I wrote about recently:

    have a new home in an existing or new mini-tower chassis? Unfortunately, at this time, it appears the answer is no, it's a homeless motherboard. Or, only for roll-your-own solutions, since it's not actually listed on the mini-tower chassis spec pages. At least not yet anyway:

    It would seem that none of the new SKUs announced that start with "SYS-" to indicate a chassis/power supply/cpu/motherboard combination.

    Motherboards_for_CSE-721TQ-250B

    Hang on a second.

    Isn't that the 16 core fanless motherboard X10SDV-16C-TLN4F that I see, on the list of mini-tower chassis compatible motherboards?

    Conclusion

    At this time, it would appear there isn't a Supermicro SuperServer mini-tower system with a 16 core Xeon D on board. I've reached out to Supermicro for comment, and will post any updates.

    That said, it does appear the following pieces can be put together to create a very special and supported bundle:

    1. Buy a CSE-721TQ-250B Mini Tower, about $169.
    2. Buy a X10SDV-16C-TLN4F Mini ITX motherboard, about $2230.
    3. Replace bundled 1U-friendly heatsink with Supermicro SNK-C0057A4L heatsink, about $43.
    4. Install a 50mm CPU fan EFB0512HHA-R00, if you can find a place to get quantity one, ideally with the same 4 pin PWM version that Supermicro uses.

    Not as easy as the wonderfully simple turn-key SYS-5028D-TN4T, where you just add your own memory and disk. Also not sure how the warranty of the complete solution would work, just piecemeal I suppose. But still, possible.

    10025902

    Feb 24 2016 Update

    Pricing of the 16 core Xeon is becoming available. See the only 16 core Xeon D listed at Wiredzone so far, for example (Out of Stock):

    Still no update on availability of any of these new Xeon D motherboards and systems, including the Xeon D-1541 that replaces the Xeon D-1540 in the SYS-5028D-TN4T.

    I did confirm with Supermicro that there are currently no 12 or 16 core systems sold in any mini-tower chassis.

    See also at TinkerTry

    All Comments on This Article (3)

    Paul Braren | TinkerTry.com

    See also Intel ARK comparison between these CPUs:
    http://ark.intel.com/compare/91199,93364,93356
    Xeon D-1541 2.1/2.7GHz, current
    Xeon D-1557 1.5/2.1GHz, planned
    Xeon D-1567 2.1/2.7GHz, not currently planned

    Paul Braren | TinkerTry.com

    Wow, this is pretty much exactly the sentiments I shared with Supermicro recent, by phone and by email. THANK YOU!
    Somewhat receptive, but only time will tell, too early for me to make any sort of recommendation, and it will likely be months before we know more, unfortunately.
    I hope you don't mind if I pass along a link to this public thread, given there's nothing quite like the power of potential customers (myself included), who also have great timing ;-)

    Paul Braren | TinkerTry.com

    This is such a great comment on so many levels, but let me start by first thanking you for your nearly 5 years of readership, I really appreciate that. Even nicer that you're happy with your vZilla too!

    I agree, 16 cores is crazy expensive, to prevent sales erosion of the other Xeon lines.

    I too have a wife and a life and balance my hobbies with my financial realities, so it sounds like you're also a very careful shopper.

    So the the logical and reasonably affordable step-up from the Xeon D-1541 8 core at 2.1/2.7GHz and 45 watts is the Xeon D-1567 at 2.1/2.7GHz and 65 watts, no loss of GHz, just more cores and threads to get that crunching and transcoding done.

    It would seem that the 1567 might also be the sweet spot for you too. I've been pushing hard for Supermicro to consider this model, from the moment I read about their Nuremberg announcements. Let's just say they know how extremely disappointed I was that they didn't come up with any new Mini-tower systems. Having you weigh in here is very helpful too. I really feel they missed the mark by choosing the Xeon D-1557, too big a GHz drop.

    See also Xeon D 8 cores versus 12 cores:
    http://ark.intel.com/compare/91199,93364,93356
    Here's all Xeon D-1500 processors:
    http://ark.intel.com/compare/93356,93364,93353,93355,91201,91202,91195,91198,91203,91196,91199,91204,87039,87038
    See details summarized nicely here in Patrick's chart:
    http://www.servethehome.com/intel-xeon-d-1500-series-official-specs-updated/
    where he says so well:
    "Now that this picture is complete we can see a few patterns emerge. First off, The D-1567 looks extremely interesting with 12 cores and 24 threads but a higher clock speed. It may be the top option for someone looking for a low power high core count compact desktop replacement."