The last benchmark that we look at here is SPECweb2005, a test that looks at the performance of machines when put to use as web servers, and examines dynamical page creation (in PHP or JSP), encryption (SSL connection) and web services. The result is a weighed average of the number of simultaneous sessions, in three scenarios: banking, shopping and support. The good performance of Niagara is noteworthy here: its performance is comparable to that of a dual Woodcrest or even a quad Tulsa. It cannot keep up with a double Clovertown or quadruple Opteron though.
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Opteron 8220 | |
4 | |
2,8GHz | |
Santa Rosa | |
   20235 |
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Xeon MP 7140 | |
4 | |
3,4GHz | |
Tulsa | |
   14896 |
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![[*]](https://tweakers.net/g/nblt.gif){kind=small} Xeon X5355 |
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2 | |
2,66GHz | |
Clovertown | |
18160 |
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Xeon 5160 | |
2 | |
3,0GHz | |
Woodcrest | |
13257 |
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Opteron 285 | |
2 | |
2,6GHz | |
Italy | |
11293 |
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Power5+ | |
2 | |
1,9GHz | |
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   7881 |
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Xeon 5080 | |
2 | |
3,73GHz | |
Dempsey | |
   6400 |
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Xeon DC | |
2 | |
2,8GHz | |
Paxville | |
5597 |
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UltraSparc T1 | |
1 | |
1,2GHz | |
Niagara | |
   14001 |
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In summary, we can conclude that Intel has made some significant gains during the past year. In the two socket segment we have seen average gains of 24% over the Opteron for the Woodcrest. The only test that Intel doesn't win is SPECfp_rate, but it has managed to bring down the difference considerably. Following Clovertown's introduction, the average performance difference between Xeon and Opteron went up to as much as 79%. Although AMD is certain to reduce that gap with the introduction of its own quad-core, it is at least half a year before that is released. For the time being, Intel can continue to improve its once-tarnished reputation and increase its market share, while the best AMD can do is reduce the damage with lower prices.
In the four-way server segment the story is less clear. Intel has gone from being hopelessly behind to a more or less equal performance, winning some tests and losing certain others. AMD is still ahead in terms of price and power consumption. Although Tulsa may be just about good enough to prevent further erosion of the market share, Intel will have to come up with something more convincing to turn the tide, especially since Opteron is also getting four cores next year. Intel has put its hope on Tigerton in order to fight off the AMD's new generation.
| 4-way | Opteron | Tulsa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPECint_rate_peak2000 | 175 | 164 | -6% --> --> --> --> --> |
| SPECfp_rate_peak2000 | 178 | 110 | -38%  |
| TPC-C | 262989 | 318407 | 21% --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> |
| SAP-SD | 1978 | 2127 | 8%  |
| SPECjbb2005 | 143525 | 178201 | 24% |
| SPECweb2005 | 20235 | 14896 | -26% |
| Average | -3% |
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| 2-way | Opteron | Clovertown | Verschil |
| SPECint_rate_peak2000 | 90.3 | 200 | 121% |
| SPECfp_rate_peak2000 | 119 | 104 | -13% |
| TPC-C | 139693 | 240737 | 72% |
| SAP-SD | 1047 | 1806 | 72% |
| SPECjbb2005 | 80617 | 210065 | 161% |
| SPECweb2005 | 11293 | 18160 | 61% |
| Average | 79% |
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| 2-way | Opteron | Woodcrest | Verschil |
| SPECint_rate_peak2000 | 90.3 | 123 | 36% |
| SPECfp_rate_peak2000 | 119 | 85.9 | -18% |
| TPC-C | 139693 | 169360 | 21% |
| SAP-SD | 1047 | 1285 | 23% |
| SPECjbb2005 | 80617 | 130589 | 63% |
| SPECweb2005 | 11293 | 13257 | 17% |
| Average | 24% |
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| 2-way | Woodcrest | Clovertown | Verschil |
| SPECint_rate_peak2000 | 123 | 200 | 63% |
| SPECfp_rate_peak2000 | 85.9 | 104 | 21% |
| TPC-C | 169360 | 240737 | 42% |
| SAP-SD | 1285 | 1806 | 41% |
| SPECjbb2005 | 130589 | 210065 | 61% |
| SPECweb2005 | 13257 | 18160 | 37% |
| Average | 44% |
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