SQL Server hardware questions

rposener

We are upgrading our SQL Server this year - currently we have a clustered dual-Xeon processor servers running SQL 2005 64-bit. Our performance during our busiest time of year is barely enough on this platform. (We also place a few other applications on this SQL server, and are using Reporting Services and Analysis Services extensively on this server - leveraging our High availabibility clustered platform) and we are wondering about performance with Itanium 2 processors? It sounds like we may recieve greater value, at similar price point for 1 larger, more scalable server. It also sounds like the EPIC solution from HP means this can result in a high-availability solution without the struggles of clustering.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge to share along these lines?

Thanks,

Ryan