IBM Power9 980

Review Cycle

February 2026

IBM Power9 980
Source: www.ibm.com

System Architecture

The IBM Power9 980 is based on the Power9 processor, which provides a significant boost in performance and efficiency compared to its predecessors. The system features a modular design, with each node consisting of a pair of processor sockets, memory, and storage. The nodes are connected using high-speed interconnects, allowing for scalable and flexible configurations. The Power9 980 also features advanced storage options, including support for NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs) and high-speed storage adapters. This enables the system to provide rapid data access and processing, making it ideal for applications that require low latency and high throughput.

Performance and Benchmarks

The IBM Power9 980 has been designed to provide exceptional performance and scalability for a wide range of workloads. The system has been optimized for applications such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, and has been shown to provide significant performance improvements compared to previous generations of Power Systems. In terms of benchmarks, the Power9 980 has achieved impressive results in a variety of tests, including SPEC CPU2006, SPEC MPI2007, and Linpack. These results demonstrate the system's ability to provide high-performance processing and analytics, making it an ideal platform for demanding workloads.

Technical Specifications

What is the maximum memory capacity of the Power9 980?

The Power9 980 has a maximum memory capacity of 16TB per node, with a total capacity of 64TB for a 4-node system.

What operating systems are supported by the Power9 980?

The Power9 980 supports IBM AIX, IBM i, and Linux operating systems.

What is the maximum power consumption of the Power9 980?

The Power9 980 has a maximum power consumption of up to 32kW per system.

What is the dimensions and weight of the Power9 980?

The Power9 980 has a dimensions of up to 42U per system and a weight of up to 1000kg per system.

Specifications

Component Specification
Processors Up to 32 Power9 processors per system
Memory Up to 16TB per node, 64TB max total capacity for a 4-node system
Storage Support for NVMe SSDs and high-speed storage adapters
Interconnects High-speed interconnects for scalable and flexible configurations
Operating Systems Support for IBM AIX, IBM i, and Linux
Power Consumption Up to 32kW per system
Dimensions Up to 42U per system
Weight Up to 1000kg per system