Dell launched today two new performance workstations - Dell Precision 490 and Dell Precision 690 - capable of handling some of the most demanding applications, as the devices are up to 155 percent faster than other predecessors.

The Dell Precision 690 and 490 workstations feature innovative dual-core Intel Xeon technology, superior, faster and more scalable memory architecture and some of the latest dual graphics to deliver performance gains over previous models of up to 45 percent on single-threaded applications and up to 155 percent on multi-threaded applications.

"Customers want higher performance and memory capacity, particularly when running compute-intensive applications or dealing with extremely large or detailed images such as mechanical design and seismic data analysis," said Darrel Ward, director, Dell Precision Workstations.

The graphics capabilities of Dell Precision 690 and 490 workstations have also been enhanced. Consequently, Dell Precision 690-1KW model features an optional dual-graphics riser card that combines two Nvidia SLI graphics cards for increased performance and visual quality.

Besides speed and graphics, the two workstations have a new memory architecture designed especially for massive quantity of data. In addition, the systems double the number of memory channels to four fully buffered dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) and feature a scalable advanced memory design of up to 16 DIMMs via optional memory risers for very large memory configurations.

"We listened to our customers and our application software partners' needs when we designed these new workstations. Our goal was to set a new standard for performance and scalability in an industry-standard professional workstation and we have done just that," Ward added.

The two new Dell workstations feature also a customer oriented design, as both chassis provide easy access to system components and to the front panel.