Introduction; What's New; Section 1.1, "Introduction; Section 1.2, "What's New - IBM p5 590 System Handbook

1.1 Introduction

The IBM Sserver p5 590 and IBM Sserver p5 595 are the servers redefining
the IT economics of enterprise UNIX and Linux® computing. The up to 64-way
p5-595 server is the new flagship of the product line with nearly three times the
commercial performance (based on rperf estimates) and twice the capacity of its
predecessor, the IBM Sserver pSeries 690. Accompanying the p5-595 is the up
to 32-way p5-590 that offers enterprise-class function and more performance
than the pSeries 690 at a significantly lower price for comparable configurations.
Both systems are powered by IBMs most advanced 64-bit Power Architecture™
microprocessor, the IBM POWER5™ microprocessor, with simultaneous
multi-threading that makes each processor function as two to the operating
system, thus increasing commercial performance and system utilization over
servers without this capability. The p5-595 features a choice of IBMs fastest
POWER5 processors running at 1.90 GHz or 1.65 GHz, while the p5-590 offers
1.65 GHz processors.
These servers come standard with mainframe-inspired reliability, availability,
serviceability (RAS) capabilities and IBM Virtualization Engine™ systems
technology with breakthrough innovations such as Micro-Partitioning™.
Micro-Partitioning allows as many as ten logical partitions (LPARs) per processor
to be defined. Both systems can be configured with up to 254 virtual servers with
a choice of AIX 5L™, Linux, and i5/OS™ operating systems in a single server,
opening the door to vast cost-saving consolidation opportunities.

1.2 What's new

The p5-590 and p5-595 bring the following features:
POWER5 microprocessor
Designed to provide excellent application performance and high reliability.
Includes simultaneous multi-threading to help increase commercial system
performance and processor utilization. See 1.3.1, "Microprocessor
technology" on page 6 and 2.2, "The POWER5 microprocessor" on page 18
for more information.
High memory / I/O bandwidth
Fast processors wait less for data to be moved through the system. Delivers
data faster for the needs of high performance computing and other
memory-intensive applications. See 2.3, "Memory subsystem" on page 26 for
more information.
IBM Eserver p5 590 and 595 System Handbook
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