Sun Microsystems Creates "First Eco-Responsible Microprocessor"

Sun Microsystems is touting its new UltraSPARC T1 processor as an industry first. While increasing speed and efficiency (it has support for up to 32 simultaneous threads, with eight threads executed per clock cycle, for anyone keeping score), the new processor also draws an average of about 70 watts, anywhere from half to a third of more traditional processors, which are typically between 150 and 200 watts. Since less energy means less heat, this also cuts down on the amount of cooling needed, which serves to further save energy. Sun claims that removing the world's Web servers and replacing them with half the number of UltraSparc T1-based systems would have the same effect on carbon dioxide emissions as planting 1 million trees. It expects to ship systems based on the processor by the end of the year. More information on the UltraSPARC can be found here, and info on all of Sun's environmental efforts is here. ::Sun UltraSPARC T1