Intel to Introduce 64-Bit Server Chips

Intel Corp. plans today to introduce two chips capable of delivering high-capacity data crunching to low-end server computers for the first time.

The additions to the Itanium 2 family will allow servers responsible for comparatively simple functions such as Web site hosting to benefit from 64-bit processors, which can process data twice as fast as the more common and less expensive 32-bit processors.

The 64-bit Itanium chips available to date have been engineered for massive applications such as running stock exchanges and university databases.

Intel, based in Santa Clara, Calif., claims 85% to 90% of the server chip market.

The company said the new- est Itaniums were designed to compete with low-end server chips produced primarily by Sun Microsystems Inc.

-- Terril Yue Jones