IBM introduces an ultra-dense server

[Random Variable]

For such a dense server, it would have made more sense to use the Power4+ which dissipates less heat than the Power4. But it still sounds like a wonderfully designed system nonetheless.

IBM eServer p655

With the very densely packaged pSeries 655, up to 16 servers with as many as 128 processors can be supported in a single 24-inch, 42U system frame (IBM 7040-W42). This is equivalent to the compute power of eight 16-way pSeries 670 servers. Multiple frames can be aggregated together to form even larger clusters?ideal for many HPC and BI applications. Based on IBM leadership microprocessor technology, the pSeries 655 offers high performance and favorable price/performance characteristics?delivering both 1.1 and 1.3GHz, 64-bit processor speeds and up to 32GB of main memory.

Advanced Multichip Module (MCM) packaging, similar to that used in IBM zSeries? servers, places either four 1.3GHz or eight 1.1GHz POWER4 processors into a package that can fit in the palm of one's hand. To further enhance performance, 128MB of Level 3 (L3) cache is packaged with the MCM. L3 cache helps stage information more effectively from processor memory to application programs.

 

[ProviaFan]

Wow, awesome!