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Compaq ProLiant 5000 Servers Reference Guide
Writer: Project: Performance Advantages of ProLiant 5000 Architecture Comments:
File Name: H-ch4.doc Last Saved On: 4/18/97 6:30 PM
Chapter 4
Performance Advantages
of ProLiant 5000 Architecture
Compaq ProLiant 5000 Architecture combines Intel Pentium Pro Processor
power with Dual Peer Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Bus
architecture to provide optimum performance. Internal Pentium Pro
architecture differs from that of earlier Pentium Processors, and functions best
when certain configuration techniques are employed.
Utilizing the Compaq configuration guidelines that follow will ensure that
maximum system performance and data transfer efficiency are achieved.
PCI and Pentium Pro Go Together
Pentium Pro processor architecture is optimized for PCI input/output.
Therefore, although the Compaq ProLiant 5000 supports up to three EISA
boards, highest performance will be obtained when only PCI peripherals are
installed. However, EISA peripherals with low bandwidth requirements (for
example, modems, system management boards and 10 megabits per second
network interface controllers with relatively low utilization) can be used with
little or no performance impact.
The ProLiant 5000 is optimized for PCI performance. Observe the following
guidelines to ensure peak system performance.
Use high-performance PCI peripherals.
Use PCI peripherals that support bus-mastering and/or burst transfer.
Avoid using high-bandwidth EISA peripherals (for example, 100-
megabit network interface controllers or multi-channel drive
controllers) as they can degrade overall system performance.
