IBM sets benchmark record for x86-64 transaction processing, bests HP by 27%

IBM said last week it scored the highest TPC-C benchmark performance result ever achieved by an x86-64 processor-based server. The IBM System x3850 X5 server handled 2,308,099 tpmC (transactions per minute C) at price/performance of $.64 USD / tpmC.

Running on the latest Intel Xeon 7500 Series processor, and equipped with IBM’s MAX5 technology, the System x3850 X5 showed a 27% performance boost over HP’s result of 1,807,347 tpmC.

The new result demonstrates the leadership performance that is possible with MAX5, an industry-first technology that decouples memory from the processor allowing memory to be expanded independently of the processor to increase the productivity of a single system. By increasing the memory capacity of the x3850 X5 by 50%, MAX5 allows the system to process more transactions per minute.

The TPC-C benchmark simulates an order-entry environment of a wholesale supplier – entering and delivering orders, recording payments, checking the status of orders, and monitoring the level of stock at the warehouses. TPC-C represents any industry that must manage, sell, or distribute a product or service. Current results show that clients who deploy IBM technology could see more orders entered, faster monitoring, distribution, and delivery.

“IBM’s line of advanced System x servers are designed for a range of high-end applications and workloads, enabling clients to maximise memory, minimise cost, and simplify deployment,” said Alex Yost, vice president, IBM System x and BladeCenter. “With innovations such as MAX5, clients can increase the scalability and performance of their IBM BladeCenter and System x servers beyond the constraints of typical industry-standard servers, which is key for both transaction-intensive workloads and virtualised data centers.”

“Clients understand that maximising total memory capacity is absolutely critical for realising the true potential of their hardware and software investments,” said Vic Verola Jr., VP of Sales, for Vicom Computer Services, Inc. “IBM’s unique MAX5 memory scaling technology unlocks the path to optimisation and is the ideal platform for today’s high performance and virtualised workloads.”

“This result demonstrates the exceptional scalability and performance available to clients when you combine the power of our latest Intel Xeon 7500 series processors with innovations from IBM such as MAX5,” said Boyd Davis, Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s Data Center Group Marketing. “The extended memory capabilities offered by IBM enables the x3850 X5 to achieve new levels of productivity and when coupled with more than 20 new processor reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features form Intel this becomes an excellent platform for clients’ most data-demanding applications.”