The second announcement from Apple today (the first being the new 8 Core Mac Pro) brings us a new Apple Xserve.

Starting at just $2,999, the new Xserve has up to two Quad-Core 3.0 GHz Intel Xeon processors for 8-core performance, a new server architecture, faster front side buses, faster memory, up to 3TB of internal storage and two PCI Express 2.0 expansion slots for greater performance and flexibility. “With the latest Intel processors and no client access licenses, Xserve offers unbeatable server performance and value for under $3,000,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. The new server is up to twice as fast as its predecessor.

The Xserve is configurable with up to two Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5400 processors running up to 3.0 GHz with 12MB of L2 cache per processor. Like the Mac Pro, the Xserve features a new high-bandwidth hardware architecture, dual-independent 1600 MHz front side buses and up to 32GB of 800 MHz DDR2 ECC FB-DIMM memory. This gives the Xserve a 64 percent increase in memory throughput, according to Apple.

With two PCI Express 2.0 expansion slots the Xserve has up to four times the I/O bandwidth of the previous Xserve to support the latest high-bandwidth expansion cards including multi-channel 4Gb Fiber channel and 10Gb Ethernet cards. Xserve also includes built-in accelerated graphics to drive up to a 23-inch Apple Cinema Display and a new front-facing USB 2.0 port.

The Xserve is available today at Apple.com and Apple resellers with pricing starting at $2,999.