IBM X3100 M3 - Manual (Page 3)

Outstanding value in a high-performance single-socket tower
server
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
3
Key Features High-Performance Processors
The x3100 M3 supports one high-performance Intel Xeon, Core i3, Pentium, or Celeron
processor, as the performance needs of your business dictate. The x3100 M3 offers a choice of
processor clock rates, power draw, and cache sizes:
• 95W quad-core Intel Xeon models X3430 or X3450 at 2.4 or 2.66Ghz (respectively), with 64-
bit extensions, 1333MHz memory access, 8MB of shared L3 processor cache, and low power
draw ( 23.75W) per core
• 73W dual-core Intel Core i3 model 540 at 3.06Ghz, with 64-bit extensions, 1333MHz memory
access, 4MB of shared L3 processor cache, and reduced power draw (36.5W) per core
• 73W dual-core Intel Pentium G6950 processor operating at 2.8GHz, with 64-bit extensions,
1066MHz memory access, 3MB of shared L3 processor cache, and reduced power draw
(
36.5W) per core
• 73W dual-core Intel Celeron G1101 processor operating at 2.26GHz, with 64-bit extensions,
1066MHz memory access, 2MB of shared L3 processor cache, and reduced power draw
(
36.5W) per core
The dual-core processors contain two complete processor cores; quad-core processors,
similarly, contain four cores. The processors also contain one shared cache. The shared cache
is dynamically allocated between cores as needed. The cores appear to software as physical
processors. The two-core processors offer considerably higher performance than a same-speed
processor with a single core. Likewise, four-core processors offer considerably higher
performance than a same-speed processor with two cores.
Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) 64-bit extensions allow the Xeon processor to
use large memory addressing when running with a 64-bit operating system. This in turn lets
individual software processes directly access more than 4GB of RAM, which was the limit of 32-
bit addressing. This can result in much higher performance for certain kinds of programs, such as
database management and CAD. Additional registers and instructions can further boost
performance for applications written to use them. Contact your software providers to determine
their software support for EM64T.
1333MHz memory access offers up to 25% higher throughput at the same processor clock speed
than
1066MHz memory access.
Intelligent Power Capability powers individual processor elements on and off as needed, to
reduce power draw.
Execute Disable Bit functionality can help prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow
attacks when combined with a supporting operating system.
High-Performance, Low-Latency DDR3 ECC Memory
The x3100 M3 ships with one DIMMs installed and supports up to 16GB of unbuffered DIMM
( UDIMM) memory in 4 DIMM sockets. It uses PC3-10600 double data rate III (DDR3) memory
(operating at 1066, or 1333MHz, depending on the processor type) for fast access, and provides
ECC memory protection. (Notes: Non-ECC memory can be used as well, but reduces system
availability. Mixing non-ECC and ECC memory in the same system is supported, but results in
the server operating in non-ECC mode.)
The x3100 M3 supports either 1, 2, or 4 DIMMs. When 2 or 4 DIMMs are installed, memory
operates in two-way interleaved mode for increased performance.
Memory is available in capacities of 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB DIMMs.
Drive Bays
The x3100 M3 contains six drive bays in total, including four 3.5-inch bays that support fixed
SATA II drives and two 5.25-inch bays that support optical drive or tape drives. The HDD bays
support slimline (1.0") drives, totaling up to
4TB per system, respectively.
A 5.25-inch bay contains a half-height DVD-ROM drive, with a SATA interface, upgradeable to a
DVD-RW drive. A second 5.25-inch bay is available for a half-height tape drive, or an RDX
Removable Disk Cartridge drive. An optional external USB floppy drive may be used, if needed.
Large HDD Storage Capacity
The x3100 M3 supports up to four 3.5-inch fixed SATA drives:
• 7,200 RPMs —250, 500, or 1TB (4TB maximum capacity)
Note: Enterprise-class 500GB+ SATA drives offer higher reliability and higher performance
compared to lower-capacity SATA drives.