[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The Benchmarks... ARMONK, N.Y. - 17 Aug 2010::

IBM Breaks Double Digit Performance Barrier With 10 Million Transactions Per Minute

***********************************EXCERPT****************************************

IBM achieved the industry's highest ever TPC-C (transaction processing) benchmark result using a Power Systems configuration with DB2, hitting 10,366,254 tpmC,(1). The IBM result delivered the follow breakthrough results including:

• Performance more than 2.5 times better than HP's best result(2), 69% greater performance per core, and 2.1 times better  price/performance
• Performance more than 35% better than Oracle's best result(3), 2.7 times better performance per core, 41% better price performance, and 35% better energy efficiency per transaction

[Lx]

Is this chip x86 or x64 bit pin and opcode compatible?

What are it’s uses if not; I’m sure IBM has a plan.

[antiRepublicrat]

Power7 fuses the flagship Power chip design with key technology from a separate "Cell" processor

Hehe, video game console technology comes to the mainframe. Not your usual selling point.