While it is still unclear when Advanced Micro Devices releases its next-generation multi-processor server chips, Intel Corp. is gearing up to introduce its latest micro-architecture to MP server market in September, sources familiar with Intel’s plans revealed. The move will increase pressure on AMD’s product lineup.

The new Intel Xeon MP lineup will consist of eight microprocessors based on Intel’s latest Core 2 micro-architecture: six Tigerton QC chips and two Tigerton DC processors with four and two processing engines, respectively. The new chips will use 1066MHz quad-pumped bus and will also lower power consumption of Intel Xeon MP chips to the range between 50W and 130W. The products are set for September introduction, some sources indicated.

Five out of eight processors – models X7350 (quad-core, 2.93GHz), L7345 (quad-core, 1.86GHz), L7340 (quad-core, 2.40GHz), L7220 (dual-core, 2.13GHz) and L7210 (dual-core, 2.40GHz) – will have 8MB of cache, two – models L7320 (quad-core, 2.13GHz) and L7310 (quad-core, 1.60GHz) – will have 4MB of cache and one processor – L7330 (quad-core, 2.40GHz) – will have 6MB of cache.

The new Xeon MP processors will be priced from $856 to $2301.

In the multi-processor server space the transition for the new micro-architecture will be complicated by co-transition to a new platform code-named Caneland. Nevertheless, after accounting for about 13% of Intel Xeon MP shipments in Q3 2007, the share code-named Tigerton processors will grow to 80% of Intel’s MP chip supplies in Q1 2008.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.