The Xserve Xeon Nehalem 2.26 "Quad Core" (Early 2009) is powered by a 2.26 GHz Quad Core 45-nm Xeon E5520 (Nehalem) processor with a dedicated 256k of level 2 cache for each core and 8 MB of "fully shared" level 3 cache. This model also could be ordered with a second 2.26 GHz Quad Core Xeon E5520 (Nehalem) processor, or custom configured with dual 2.66 GHz Quad Core Xeon (X5550) processors or dual 2.93 GHz Quad Core Xeon (X5570) processors.
By default, it was configured with 3 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, a 160 GB (7200 RPM, 8 MB cache) hot-plug "Apple Drive Module" (a 128 GB SSD option -- which does not occupy a drive bay -- was available for an additional US$500), an 8X dual-layer "SuperDrive", and NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory. Ports include Mini DisplayPort (VGA and DVI supported with optional adapters), three USB 2.0 ports, and two Firewire "800" ports.
Compared to the "Early 2008" Xserve that it replaced, the Xeon Nehalem 2.26 "Quad Core" (Early 2009), uses a substantially faster architecture that supports "Hyper-Threading" -- which "allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core" -- and "Turbo Boost" -- which "automatically boosts the processor speed based on workload" (so if an application is only using one core it will automatically increase the speed of the core in use and turn off the unused cores). It also replaces the frontside bus with a new "QuickPath Interconnect" (QPI) system described as a "bidrectional, point-to-point connection" that provides "quick access to the disk, I/O, and other Xserve subsystems". Apple reported that these improvements add up to "twice the performance" of the previous system.
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.
Introduction Date: | April 7, 2009 | Discontinued Date: | January 31, 2011* |
Processors: | 1 (4 Cores) | Architecture: | 64-Bit |
Geekbench 2 (32): | 7292 | Geekbench 2 (64): | 8254 |
Geekbench 3 (32): | 1723 | Geekbench 3 (32): | 6189 |
Geekbench 3 (64): | 1907 | Geekbench 3 (64): | 7126 |
Geekbench 4 (SC): | 2197 | Geekbench 4 (MC): | 7187 |
Geekbench 5 (SC): | 439 | Geekbench 5 (MC): | 1673 |
Processor Speed: | 2.26 GHz | Processor Type: | Q. Core Xeon E5520 |
Details: | The standard configuration has a single 64-bit 45-nm Xeon E5520 (Nehalem) processor with four independent processor "cores" each with a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, 8 MB of "fully shared" level 3 cache, an integrated memory controller, and "a 128-bit SSE4 SIMD engine". It also supports "Hyper-Threading" -- which "allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core" -- and "Turbo Boost" -- which "automatically boosts the processor speed based on workload" (so if an application is only using one of the four cores it will automatically increase the speed of the core in use and turn off the unused cores). |
Turbo Boost: | 2.53 GHz | Custom Speeds: | 2.26, 2.66, 2.93 GHz* |
Processor Upgrade: | N/A | FPU: | Integrated |
System Bus Speed: | QPI* | Cache Bus Speed: | 2.26 GHz (Built-in) |
ROM/Firmware Type: | EFI | EFI Architecture: | 64-Bit |
L1 Cache: | 32k/32k x4 | L2/L3 Cache: | 256k (x4), 8 MB* |
RAM Type: | DDR3 ECC SDRAM* | Min. RAM Speed: | 1066 MHz |
Details: | Uses "1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory" (PC-8500) modules. |
Standard RAM: | 3 GB | Maximum RAM: | 96 GB* |
Details: | 3 GB of RAM installed as three 1 GB modules. *As originally shipped on April 7, 2009, Apple reported that the Eight Core custom configurations hold 24 GB of memory. On December 4, 2009, Apple formally added support for 4 GB modules and increased the maximum memory to 48 GB. However, third-parties have confirmed that the Eight Core configurations actually support 96 GB of RAM using 8 GB modules. Apple additionally reports that the operating "system supports up to 32 GB in Mac OS X Server v10.5" and "up to 96 GB in Mac OS X Server v10.6". In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this Xserve. In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells RAM and other upgrades for this Xserve. In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells RAM and other upgrades for this Xserve. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
Motherboard RAM: | None | RAM Slots: | 6* |
Video Card: | GeForce GT 120 | VRAM Type: | GDDR3 SDRAM |
Details: | Apple reports that this Xserve model has "NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory and Mini DisplayPort output". Adapters to VGA and DVI output are sold separately. |
Standard VRAM: | 256 MB | Maximum VRAM: | 256 MB |
Display Support: | N/A | Resolution Support: | N/A |
Details: | 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: | 160 GB HDD | Std. Storage Speed: | 7200 RPM |
Details: | Default hard drive is a 160 GB 7200 RPM SATA "Apple Drive Module" with 8 MB of cache. Apple also offered 1 TB and 2 TB 7200 RPM SATA drives with 32 MB of cache as US$200 and US$400 options, respectively, (2 TB option beginning December 4, 2009) as well as a 128 GB SSD (which does not occupy a drive bay) for an additional US$500. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this Xserve. In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells hard drives and other upgrades for this Xserve. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs. |
Storage Dimensions: | 3.5" (25.4 mm) | Storage Interface: | SATA/SAS |
Standard Optical: | 8X DL "SuperDrive" | Standard Disk: | None |
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) |
Expansion Slots: | 2 PCIe 2.0 x16* | Expansion Bays: | 3 3.5" |
Details: | Apple explains that this system offers "two open PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots: one half-length (6.6-inch) and one 9.25-inch length". In the default configuration, one external 3.5" bay is occupied by a hard drive and two bays are free. If configured with an SSD, the SSD does not occupy a drive bay. |
Incl. Keyboard: | None | Incl. Input: | None |
Case Type: | Rack-Mountable | Form Factor: | Xserve Intel |
Apple Order No: | MB449LL/A | Apple Subfamily: | Early 2009 |
Apple Model No: | A1279 (EMC 2279) | Model ID: | Xserve3,1 |
Details: | Please note that these identifiers often refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the A1279 Model Number, the 2279 EMC Number, and the Xserve3,1 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 10.5.6 | Maximum MacOS: | X 10.11.6* |
Minimum Windows: | None* | Maximum Windows: | None* |
MacOS 9 Support: | None | Windows Support: | N/A |
Details: | N/A |
Dimensions: | 1.73 x 17.6 x 30.0 | Avg. Weight: | 30.8 lbs. (14.0 kg) |
Original Price (US): | US$2999 | 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). |
The new Xserve embodies Apple’s continuing environmental commitment. It is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental impact:
Standard Configuration (MB449LL/A) | Build-to-Order Options | |
---|---|---|
Processor | One 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5500 series processor | Dual 2.26GHz, 2.66GHz, or 2.93GHz processors |
Memory | 3GB (three 1GB) 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM | Up to 24GB (quad-core) or 48GB (8-core) 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM |
Storage | 160GB 7200-rpm SATA Apple Drive Module with 8MB of cache | Up to 6TB of internal storage using 160GB, 1TB, or 2TB 7200-rpm SATA Apple Drive Modules |
Internal RAID | Optional | Xserve RAID Card with 512MB cache and 72-hour cache battery backup |
Internal solid-state drive | Optional | 128GB solid-state drive |
Expansion | Optional | Dual-Channel Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express Card Dual-Channel 4Gb Fibre Channel PCI Express Card Quad-Channel 4Gb Fibre Channel PCI Express Card |
Power supply | Single 750W high-efficiency power supply | Dual redundant high-efficiency power supplies |
Rack support | Supports most industry-standard (EIA-310-D) four-post racks and cabinets with a rack depth of 24 inches to 36 inches deep; quick-deployment rails for square-hole racks eliminates need for cage nuts | Quick-deployment rails for threaded (10/30-inch) or square-hole racks |
Service and support | 90 days of telephone support and one-year limited warranty | Optional AppleCare extended service and support products available |