IBM uses x3 chipset to differentiate in commodity x86 server wars

Sending mainframe architects into the Intel server labs for the past three years, IBM today introduced the X3 architecture for x86 servers -- eServer xSeries in IBM parlance.

The "Hurricane" chipset builds on IBM's Summit architecture, combining off-processor cache, I/O, and RAS (reliability, availability, and serviceability) functionality. Already the 8-way x86 market share leader, IBM intends to use the x3 to lower prices in the 4-way Xeon sweet spot -- just as that market is juiced up this spring with 64 bit operating systems and dual-core microprocessors. In short, IBM intends to take market share by adding value to what has become a crucial piece of the server market.

Note that the xSeries 366, the first x3 product which is due next quarter, sets a new commercial performance record for 4-way Intel Xeon servers with 141,504 TPM-C and 7,731 queries-per-hour on a TPC-H 300 GB database. The ability to address up to 64 GB of memory and intelligent memory caching are critical technologies to achieving these high-throughput benchmark results.

With a 4-way server priced in the $12,500 range, IBM is likely to drive demand that will continue its strong showing in the mid- to high-end of the x86 server market. This is a product the competition will examine very carefully.

Over time, however, a mainframe-quality chipset, large memory addressing, and strong I/O will only drive more mainframe workloads onto x3-enabled xSeries due to the ever-widening gap between mainframe and xSeries price-performance.

Peter S. Kastner