Tuesday, May 22nd 2007

IBM Unleashes The World's Fastest Processor

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May 22nd, 2007 07:11 Discuss (30 Comments)

IBM today simultaneously launched what it claims is the fastest processor in the world and an ultra-powerful new computer server that leverages the chip's many breakthroughs in energy conservation and virtualization technology. IBM's new POWER6 chip is a 64 bit, dual-core processor with 790 million transistors running at up to 4.7GHz and 8MB of on chip L2 cache. At 4.7GHz, the dual-core POWER6 processor doubles the speed of the previous generation POWER5 while using nearly the same amount of electricity to run and cool it. This means customers can use the new processor to either increase their performance by 100 percent or cut their power consumption virtually in half. Also announced today is the IBM's new 2- to 16-core server which offers three times the performance per core of the HP Superdome machine. The new server is also the first ever to hold all four major benchmark speed records for business and technical performance.

Source: IBM

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30 Comments on IBM Unleashes The World's Fastest Processor

Deleted member 3

Worlds fastest processor is rather misleading. Just highest clocked, it's very ineffcient and sucks up a lot of energy from what I understand.

PVTCaboose1337

Graphical Hacker

Rofl, this is a joke, see that guy? How many processors does he have... yeah, efficiency problems.

kakazza

DanTheBanjomanWorlds fastest processor is rather misleading. Just highest clocked, it's very ineffcient and sucks up a lot of energy from what I understand.

"Demonstrating its remarkable versatility, the new IBM System p 570, running the POWER6 processor, claims the No.1 spots in the four most widely used performance benchmarks for Unix servers – SPECint2006 (measuring integer-calculating throughput common in business applications), SPECfp2006 (measuring floating point-calculating throughput required for scientific applications), SPECjbb2005 (measuring Java™ performance in business operations per second) and TPC-C (measuring transaction processing capability) (1). This is the first time that a single system has owned all four categories. The new System p 570 now holds 25 benchmark records across a broad portfolio of business and technical applications (5)."

And before I go on: Click source link, read, click more links.
www.tpc.org/tpcc/results/tpcc_perf_results.asp
www-03.ibm.com/systems/p/benchmarks/

mdm-adph

You know, I've always found it rather odd that the three processors in the three top gaming systems (Wii, XBox 360, PS3) are PowerPC based, while everything else seems to be going to Intel.

Does Intel not like the gaming market or something? Or are Power processors simply better suited for some reason?

NamesDontMatter

mdm-adphYou know, I've always found it rather odd that the three processors in the three top gaming systems (Wii, XBox 360, PS3) are PowerPC based, while everything else seems to be going to Intel.

Does Intel not like the gaming market or something? Or are Power processors simply better suited for some reason?

Power and Price. And look at the cell processor, it takes only like what 16 of them for a super computer? IBM won the console war :P

mandelore

hell, id like a dual core processor @ nearly 5Ghz with 8mb ondie cache, wonder how much it overclocks??

Zalmann

mandelorehell, id like a dual core processor @ nearly 5Ghz with 8mb ondie cache, wonder how much it overclocks??

It's a server processor, not intended for workstation or desktop use, and it does not run windows.

Deleted member 3

kakazza"Demonstrating its remarkable versatility, the new IBM System p 570, running the POWER6 processor, claims the No.1 spots in the four most widely used performance benchmarks for Unix servers – SPECint2006 (measuring integer-calculating throughput common in business applications), SPECfp2006 (measuring floating point-calculating throughput required for scientific applications), SPECjbb2005 (measuring Java™ performance in business operations per second) and TPC-C (measuring transaction processing capability) (1). This is the first time that a single system has owned all four categories. The new System p 570 now holds 25 benchmark records across a broad portfolio of business and technical applications (5)."

And before I go on: Click source link, read, click more links.
www.tpc.org/tpcc/results/tpcc_perf_results.asp
www-03.ibm.com/systems/p/benchmarks/

A record in some absolute number which says nothing about being efficient, and a link to IBM themselves.
tweakers.net/nieuws/47607/Eerste-benchmark-van-47GHz-Power6-lekt-uit-update.html
The colorful bars is what I read, if you compare the 4.7GHz things to the 2.2 Power5+ I would say it isn't very efficient compared to its older brother. 60% faster, over twice the clockspeed. The Xeons in the list are MP's, which means they are memory starved Netburst processors. In a few months we have Tigerton which will come a lot closer to the Power6 but is a lot cheaper. I'm not impressed by the Power6.

oldcrank

Yes, but will it run Linux. I'm done with Windows anyway.

#10

bigboi86

Those CPU's look just like AMD's without the IHS. Aren't AMD and IBM collaborating anyway? Does this mean some of their design can be introduced to the PC market?

#11

GJSNeptune

bigboi86Those CPU's look just like AMD's without the IHS. Aren't AMD and IBM collaborating anyway? Does this mean some of their design can be introduced to the PC market?

They collaborate, yes, but I'm not sure if it includes chip design. I know they're working together on the the chip fabrication processes though.

#12

Dippyskoodlez

DanTheBanjomanWorlds fastest processor is rather misleading. Just highest clocked, it's very ineffcient and sucks up a lot of energy from what I understand.

I'm sure a lot of people are going to downplay these because they are "Power" chips.

The previous chip had apple riding their coat tails for all round performance reasons...

But now IBM can unleash the beast that will be Power. :)

Isn't this the CPU thats socket F?

#13

bigboi86

GJSNeptuneThey collaborate, yes, but I'm not sure if it includes chip design. I know they're working together on the the chip fabrication processes though.

Yea, I remember reading about that. That has to lead to some new CPU designs!

#14

Dippyskoodlez

GJSNeptuneThey collaborate, yes, but I'm not sure if it includes chip design. I know they're working together on the the chip fabrication processes though.

Socket design. :eek:

#15

GJSNeptune

Whatever their collaboration entails, IBM is clutch for AMD. In fact, we owe a lot of thanks to IBM for their role in computers and technology for many years.

#16

mandelore

ZalmannIt's a server processor, not intended for workstation or desktop use, and it does not run windows.

ahh, sod that then :laugh:

#17

kakazza

oldcrankYes, but will it run Linux. I'm done with Windows anyway.

Rather, what does NOT run linux?

#18

kakazza

DanTheBanjomanA record in some absolute number which says nothing about being efficient, and a link to IBM themselves.
tweakers.net/nieuws/47607/Eerste-benchmark-van-47GHz-Power6-lekt-uit-update.html
The colorful bars is what I read, if you compare the 4.7GHz things to the 2.2 Power5+ I would say it isn't very efficient compared to its older brother. 60% faster, over twice the clockspeed. The Xeons in the list are MP's, which means they are memory starved Netburst processors. In a few months we have Tigerton which will come a lot closer to the Power6 but is a lot cheaper. I'm not impressed by the Power6.

"Met een prijs/prestatieverhouding van 3,54 dollar per transactie per minuut scoort het systeem ook beter dan de Power5+-inzending, die op 4,42 dollar uitkwam."

Cheaper for more performance

#19

bigboi86

DanTheBanjomanA record in some absolute number which says nothing about being efficient, and a link to IBM themselves.
tweakers.net/nieuws/47607/Eerste-benchmark-van-47GHz-Power6-lekt-uit-update.html
The colorful bars is what I read, if you compare the 4.7GHz things to the 2.2 Power5+ I would say it isn't very efficient compared to its older brother. 60% faster, over twice the clockspeed. The Xeons in the list are MP's, which means they are memory starved Netburst processors. In a few months we have Tigerton which will come a lot closer to the Power6 but is a lot cheaper. I'm not impressed by the Power6.

You have a weird taste in processors...

So what if it's not as efficient or efficient enough clock per clock? It's still owning benchmarks, and doing more work.

#20

Deleted member 3

bigboi86You have a weird taste in processors...

So what if it's not as efficient or efficient enough clock per clock? It's still owning benchmarks, and doing more work.

And it uses a lot more power and costs more. Plus it's not about my taste, it's why it doesn't impress me. This Power6 seems to be to Power5 what the P4 was to the P3, ie not a bad idea though it will fail in the long run.

And efficiency not only means IPC, but also performance per watt.

#21

WarEagleAU

Bird of Prey

Some folks are just die hard intel fans. I wonder how this compares to an oc C2D or C2D quad?

the title is misleading, but it will work for server procs I guess.

#22

Atech

Damnit, I want one of these, along with a workstation board!

#23

Dippyskoodlez

DanTheBanjomanAnd it uses a lot more power and costs more. Plus it's not about my taste, it's why it doesn't impress me. This Power6 seems to be to Power5 what the P4 was to the P3, ie not a bad idea though it will fail in the long run.

And efficiency not only means IPC, but also performance per watt.

But, how does it SCALE? ;)

This isnt intended for 2-4 cpu setups...

Try a 100+! :respect:

#24

newbielives

Yours for the tiny sum of 60,000$ :toast:

oldcrankYes, but will it run Linux. I'm done with Windows anyway.

#25

mdm-adph

WarEagleAUSome folks are just die hard intel fans. I wonder how this compares to an oc C2D or C2D quad?

the title is misleading, but it will work for server procs I guess.

know of any benchmarks that can accurately measure the differences between Power and x86? ;)

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IBM Unleashes The World's Fastest Processor

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