Apple Xserve Xeon 3.0 "Eight Core" (Early 2008) Specs
Identifiers: Early 2008 - BTO/CTO - Xserve2,1 - A1246 - 2186
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The Xserve Xeon 3.0 "Eight Core" (Early 2008) technically is a "build-to-order" configuration of the Xserve Xeon 2.8 "Quad Core" (Early 2008), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than the processors, these two models are identical.
The Xserve Xeon 3.0 "Eight Core" (Early 2008) is powered by dual 3.0 GHz Quad Core 45-nm Intel Xeon E5472 (Harpertown/Penryn) processors with 12 MB of "on-die" level 2 cache per processor (each pair of cores shares 6 MB) and dual independent 1.6 GHz 64-bit frontside buses.
By default, it was configured with 2 GB of 800 MHz DDR2 ECC fully-buffered (FB-DIMM) memory (but can support up to 32 GB of RAM), an 80 GB (7200 RPM) SATA "Apple Drive Module" with 8 MB cache, a slot-loading 8X double-layer SuperDrive, and built-in ATI Radeon X1300 PCI Express graphics with 64 MB of GDDR3 memory. Ports include onboard mini-DVI, three USB 2.0 ports, and two Firewire "800" ports.
Compared to the original Intel-powered Xserve replaced, the "Early 2008" Xserve models use a more advanced architecture with faster and more efficient processors with larger level 2 caches, a more advanced vector engine, a faster frontside bus (1.6 GHz instead of 1.33 GHz), and faster memory (800 MHz instead of 667 MHz). Apple reports that these improvements result in a system that is "up to" twice as fast as its predecessor.
Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific Mac while supplies last.
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Introduction Date: |
January 8, 2008 |
Discontinued Date: |
April 7, 2009 |
Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2008. |
Processors: |
2 (8 Cores) |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
Geekbench 2 (32): |
9257 |
Geekbench 2 (64): |
11103 |
Details: |
Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the Xserve2,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Geekbench 3 (32): |
1625 |
Geekbench 3 (32): |
10965 |
Details: |
These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the Xserve2,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Geekbench 3 (64): |
1748 |
Geekbench 3 (64): |
11933 |
Details: |
These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the Xserve2,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Geekbench 4 (SC): |
1976 |
Geekbench 4 (MC): |
9421 |
Details: |
These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the Xserve2,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Geekbench 5 (SC): |
442 |
Geekbench 5 (MC): |
2368 |
Details: |
These Geekbench 5 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 5 benchmarks for the Mac are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the Xserve2,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Processor Speed: |
3.0 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Q. Core Xeon E5472 x2 |
Details: |
The 45-nm Xeon E5472 (Harpertown/Penryn) processors each have four independent processor "cores" with 12 MB of "on-die" level 2 cache (each pair of cores shares 6 MB). It also features a 128-bit SSE4 SIMD vector engine, and dual independent 1.6 GHz 64-bit frontside buses. |
Turbo Boost: |
N/A |
Custom Speeds: |
N/A |
Processor Upgrade: |
N/A |
FPU: |
Integrated |
Details: |
It is not clear whether or not the processor can be upgraded on this model. |
System Bus Speed: |
1.6 GHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
3.0 GHz (Built-in) |
Details: |
This system has an independent 1.6 GHz 64-bit frontside bus. 12 MB of "on-die" level 2 cache (each pair of cores shares 6 MB). |
ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
EFI Architecture: |
64-Bit |
L1 Cache: |
N/A |
L2/L3 Cache: |
12 MB x2 |
Details: |
12 MB of "on-die" level 2 cache per processor (each pair of cores on each processor shares 6 MB). |
RAM Type: |
ECC DDR2 FB-DIMM |
Min. RAM Speed: |
800 MHz* |
Details: |
*Apple originally reported that this model uses "800 MHz DDR2 ECC fully-buffered DMM (FB-DIMM) memory," but subsequently changed this to 667 MHz in some documentation. The system also has a "256-bit wide memory architecture". |
Standard RAM: |
2 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
32 GB |
Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
8 |
Details: |
Apple reports that the system has "eight FB-DIMM slots [that] support up to 32 GB of memory" and a "256-bit-wide memory architecture". |
Video Card: |
Radeon X1300 |
VRAM Type: |
GDDR3 SDRAM |
Details: |
Apple reports that this Xserve model has "built-in ATI Radeon X1300 PCI Express graphics with 64 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM" with a single-link mini-DVI port (includes a mini-DVI to VGA adapter as well). |
Standard VRAM: |
64 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
64 MB |
Details: |
The built-in graphics cannot be upgraded. |
Display Support: |
N/A |
Resolution Support: |
N/A |
2nd Display Support: |
None |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
N/A |
Details: |
Single display supported in default configuration. Additional displays can be supported with expansion cards. |
Standard Storage: |
80 GB HDD |
Std. Storage Speed: |
7200 RPM |
Storage Dimensions: |
3.5" (25.4 mm) |
Storage Interface: |
SATA/SAS |
Details: |
Apple formally supports "up to 3 TB of hot-plug internal storage" using three 3.5" 1 TB drive modules. |
Standard Optical: |
8X DL "SuperDrive" |
Standard Disk: |
None |
Details: |
An 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD�RW/CD-RW) is standard. |
Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
Gigabit (x2) |
Details: |
The system has "two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T [Gigabit] Ethernet (RJ-45) interfaces with support for jumbo frames." |
Standard AirPort: |
None |
Standard Bluetooth: |
None |
USB Ports: |
3 (2.0) |
Firewire Ports: |
2 (800) |
Details: |
Three USB 2.0 ports (one on front panel, two on rear) and two Firewire "800" ports on rear panel. |
Expansion Slots: |
2 PCIe 2.0 |
Expansion Bays: |
3 3.5" |
Details: |
Apple explains that this system offers "two open PCI Express 2.0 expansion slots: one half-length (6.6-inch) configurable slot (x8 PCI Express 2.0 or 133 MHz PCI-X) and one 9.25-inch x16 PCI Express 2.0 slot".
In the default configuration, one external 3.5" bay is occupied by a hard drive and two bays are free. |
Incl. Keyboard: |
None |
Incl. Input: |
None |
Case Type: |
Rack-Mountable |
Form Factor: |
Xserve Intel |
Details: |
Fits "EIA-310-D-compliant, industry-standard four-post racks and cabinets: 19 inches wide, 24 to 36 inches deep". |
Apple Order No: |
BTO/CTO |
Apple Subfamily: |
Early 2008 |
Apple Model No: |
A1246 (EMC 2186) |
Model ID: |
Xserve2,1 |
Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the A1246 Model Number, the 2186 EMC Number, and the Xserve2,1 Model Identifier.
For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
Battery Type: |
N/A |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X Server 10.5 (9B2117) |
Maximum MacOS: |
X Server 10.7.5* |
Details: |
An unlimited client version of Mac OS X Server 10.5 "Leopard" was pre-installed.
*This model can run the last version of OS X 10.7 "Lion" and Apple Server software. It cannot run more recent versions of OS X. It does not support "OpenCL" either. |
Minimum Windows: |
None* |
Maximum Windows: |
None* |
Details: |
*Apple's Boot Camp provides no support for running Windows on the Intel-based Xserve models. |
MacOS 9 Support: |
None |
Windows Support: |
N/A |
Dimensions: |
1.73 x 17.6 x 30.0 |
Avg. Weight: |
31.7 lbs. (14.4 kg) |
Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (4.4 cm, 44.7 cm, 76.2 cm). 31.7 pounds (14.4 kg) for "base" configuration. Apple reports that it weighs "38.3 pounds (17.4 kg) with three 300 GB SAS Apple Drive Modules and two power supplies." |
Original Price (US): |
US$4299 |
Est. Current Retail: |
N/A |
Details: |
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Global original prices for the Xserve Xeon 3.0 "Eight Core" (Early 2008) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North & South America
Mexico: |
N/A |
United States: |
US$4299 |
Original Prices - Europe
Austria: |
N/A |
Belgium: |
N/A |
Denmark: |
N/A |
Finland: |
N/A |
Luxembourg: |
N/A |
Netherlands: |
N/A |
Norway: |
N/A |
Portugal: |
N/A |
Switzerland: |
N/A |
United Kingdom: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Asia
China: |
N/A |
Hong Kong: |
N/A |
India: |
N/A |
Indonesia: |
N/A |
Malaysia: |
N/A |
The Philippines: |
N/A |
Singapore: |
N/A |
Taiwan: |
N/A |
Thailand: |
N/A |
Vietnam: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
Australia: |
N/A |
New Zealand: |
N/A |
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Xserve models follow.
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