Re: I don't believe Intel sells Itanium 2 into the channel
They used to. If you think it doesn't matter that Intel apparenlty no longers offers a 64-bit server through any channel other than HP and Unisys, then that's what you've concluded, which is fine - we're all entitled to our opinions!
AMD certainly seems to think it's fine. Note that you can't list on pricewatch unless you can provide a firm price and ship date (better yet, have the item in stock!). I think that there's a good chance that what's going on is that Intel has given up on the current Itanium I and Itanium II and intends to ship Itanium III (or whatever the Madison stepping will be called) almost as though it were the first Itanium to be offered. Vendors can't offer a firm price and ship date until Intel announces Itanium III, and that may be what happened to Itanium on pricewatch.
Whatever. The thing is that the justification for Itanium vs. established 64-bit server platforms like Sparc and Alpha was that a non-proprietary, very high volume, moderate cost platform would displace low volume, high cost, proprietary server platforms by achieving a critical mass of installed systems that lowered overall costs. AMD seems to have intercepted that strategy and is running with it, while Intel's 64-bit offering, so far, is just another low volume (two years of very low volume), high cost, proprietary server.
Here are some of the OEMs offering 64-bit systems from AMD - note that many of these also list Itanium systems, but seem to have stopped selling them, but will probably start selling them again as soon as Itanium III comes out.
Western Scientific Western Scientific is a leading manufacturer and provider of high performance Beowulf computing clusters, high-power servers and workstations, and reliable data storage and RAID products. http://www.wsm.com/products/amd/opteron
Monarch Systems Monarch Computer is a leading provider of high-quality, pre- built Personal Computers, award-winning CAD and Corporate Workstations, as well as Mid-to-High-End Servers. http://www.monarchcomputer.com/opteron
Colfax International For two decades offering innovative cutting-edge technological solutions serving the needs of small- to medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, educational institutions, government agencies and military. http://colfax-intl.com/JLRID/?RID=92
Net Integrations Net Integration Technologies, Inc. solves networking and IT infrastructure problems for small and medium sized businesses. http://www.net-itech.com
Aspen Systems Aspen Systems, Inc. is a world leader in the custom design, manufacture and service of a wide array of Linux based high-performance computing solutions that solve scientific problems, drive research and expedite discovery. http://www.aspsys.com/features/opteron/
PSSC Labs PSSC Labs is the industry leader in providing high performance workstations, servers and Beowulf Supercomputing solutions to the world's most prestigious and demanding organizations http://www.pssclabs.com/products/opteron.asp
CCSI (Computer & Control Solutions Inc.) We build Thermally Correct? high density systems. http://www.opteronics.com
APPRO International, Inc. APPRO enables a variety of network computing applications by developing powerful, scalable, and reliable clusters, servers, storage and workstation solutions for the high-performance computing and Internet infrastructure markets. http://www.appro.com/product/B121H.asp
Einux Einux develops and markets servers, storage and turn-key solutions, which help companies with high-performance computing requirements, achieve maximum return on their investment. http://www.einux.com/opteron.php
NTSI High Performance Servers and Workstations for CAD/CAM and Scientific Applications. http://www.ntsi.com/opteron
Angstrom Micro Angstrom Microsystems is the world's first provider of dual-processor 1U AMD Opteron development servers and is a leader in high-performance server solutions. http://www.angstrom.com/products/titan64.htm
Boxx Technologies BOXX is a leading edge developer and manufacturer of high-performance, high-bandwidth Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Linux based hardware and software solutions. http://www.boxxtech.com/
Q-sol QSOL.COM is a world-class provider of High Performance Servers and Clusters, specializing in the design and manufacturing of rackmount appliances for extreme computing needs such as VFX rendering, Biotech, and scientific computing. http://amd.qsol.com/
MicroPro Micro Pro is a nationally recognized OEM computer company and parts wholesaler/reseller that has been in business for over 10 years. http://www.micropro.com/amdopteron
Tempest Tempest Computers is an OEM that provides a full line of client/server products in both standardized configuration and in custom design configuration. Our servers are specially designed to satisfy the specific needs of each individual customer. http://www.tempestcomputers.net/opteron/
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