Intel disclosed its roadmap for low-power processors for the emerging micro server category today, including a new server processor based on the Intel Atom processor microarchitecture targeted for 2012. Micro servers share infrastructure resources and are ideal for workloads where many low-power, dense servers may be more efficient than fewer, more robust servers.

Intel will deliver four new processors for the category that span 45 watt high performance to sub-10 watt, all with server features including 64-bit, Intel Virtualization Technology and Error-Correcting Code (ECC)

Intel expectes that the majority of the micro server market will be served by the forcoming low-power single-socket Intel Xeon processors E3-1260L and E3-1220L.

For the lowest power, higher density solutions with light processing requirements per node, a new sub-10 watt server processor based on the Intel Atom processor mocroarchitecture offers an additional option.

- Intel Xeon processor E3-1260L, 45W, currently in production
- Intel Xeon processor E3-1220L, 20W, currently in production
- Server processor based on Sandy Bridge microarchitecture, 15W, available in 2H'2011
- Server processor based on the uNtel Atom microarchitecture, Sub-10W, available in 2012

Intel's customers are already planning designs based on these processors, including Intel Xeon processors E3-1260L and E3-1220L in production now.

The following soon-to-be-released Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 family and corresponding chipsets are in production today: