Intel’s Hardcore Six-Core

Looks like the CPU refresh cycle is officially underway. This morning, Intel (INTC) formally launched its new six-core Westmere EP Xeon processor, and according to the company, vendors like Dell (DELL), IBM (IBM) and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) are already gobbling them up.

Said Intel exec Boyd Davis: “We’ve already shipped hundreds of thousands of these (processors).” And for good reason. Built using the company’s 32-nanometer processor technology, these Xeon 5600 series chips promise to deliver greater performance and energy efficiency than their predecessors. With luck, they’ll help drive new equipment spending in enterprise, which would obviously be good for both the server and chip markets.