The Intel Xeon X5698 was a server/workstation processor with 2 cores, launched in February 2011. It is part of the Xeon lineup, using the Westmere-EP architecture with Socket 1366. Thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading the core-count is effectively doubled, to 4 threads. To further increase overall system performance, up to two Xeon X5698 CPUs can work together in a multi-processor (SMP) configuration. Xeon X5698 has 12 MB of L3 cache and operates at 4.4 GHz. Intel is making the Xeon X5698 on a 32 nm production node using 1,170 million transistors. The multiplier is locked on Xeon X5698, which limits its overclocking potential.
With a TDP of 130 W, the Xeon X5698 consumes a lot of power, so good cooling is definitely needed. Intel's processor supports DDR3 memory with a triple-channel interface. ECC memory is supported, too, which is an important capability for mission-critical systems, to avoid data corruption. For communication with other components in the computer, Xeon X5698 uses a PCI-Express Gen 2 connection. This processor lacks integrated graphics, you might need a graphics card.
Hardware virtualization is available on the Xeon X5698, which greatly improves virtual machine performance.