Intel launched today their newest processor named Woodcrest.

Woodcrest is a server processor and it’s based on the Intel Core architecture. Woodcrest is part of the Xeon DP family which uses the LGA-771 Socket and has support for multiple CPUs.

This system allows the use of multiple Woodcrest processors while the normal desktops allow only one Core Duo CPU.

Woodcrest will try to replace Dempsey, Intel’s older dual-core processor. Woodcrest is focused on power consumption and while both Dempsey and Woodcrest have the same power consumption, Woodcrest gives a better performance-per-watt because Woodcrest is faster.

Intel stated at the time they presented that Woodcrest is 33% more efficient than an Opteron processor. But the real tests showed that things are not quite the same. Woodcrest is only 10% to 15% in some situations, not like Intel advertised.

But the good news stops here. It seems that the processor will start to be available to the public only after 2-3 weeks, around late July or early August. And at that time the first Woodcrest powered machines will be available for purchase.

As for prices, we could only find out how much a Woodcrest will cost and a 2.0GHz with 4MB cache will cost $320 for 1000 items. So this is the price for sistem manufacturers.

I wonder if Apple will use Woodcrest processors and if they do when will they release it.