SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Rackable Systems announced that it has expanded its premier line of high performance computing server products by adding new offerings based on the new Intel Itanium 2 processor. Rackable's Itanium family-based line includes enterprise grade 2-way and 4-way systems based on the Intel SR870BH2 and the Intel SR870BN4 platforms, featuring performance and reliability for high-end server markets. Rackable's 4-way Itanium 2-based system is available immediately and its 2-way system is available for immediate order with July shipment dates. Rackable is also offering a density-optimized version of a 2-way Itanium 2-based system that includes its industry-leading cooling mechanisms and lights-out management features, also based upon the Intel SR870BH2 platform. This system will be available in Q3 of this year. Rackable's innovative, patented server designs in half-depth form factors enable back-to-back mounting and superb thermal dissipation. Rackable's Itanium 2-based offerings will power industries and applications with high-performance compute power requirements, such as Semiconductors (EDA applications), Oil & Gas (seismic data processing), Biotech (drug discovery), Automotive (finite element analysis and crash simulation) and Entertainment (image rendering). The Itanium 2-based feature set also makes it an ideal solution for demanding database computing applications. These industries have typically migrated substantial amounts of computing away from proprietary RISC architectures to Intel-based systems, and will now be in a position to take advantage of true 64-bit computing based on Itanium 2 processors. "The Itanium 2 processor line has been specifically designed to support high performance applications, an area of expertise for Rackable Systems," said Tom Barton, President and CEO, Rackable. "We are pleased to extend our Intel-based product line, while keeping our customers ahead of the curve in processor innovation." "Rackable's systems based on Intel's new Itanium 2 processor and Intel's server platforms provide high-performance, high-density solutions for the mid-tier and high-end of the marketplace," said Phil Brace, director of marketing, Intel Enterprise Platforms and Services Group. "Their systems deliver the performance and value customers require for demanding enterprise environments."