Cheryl Watson's CPU Chart is a comprehensive list of
more than 365 processors from IBM that run z/OS. For each processor
the chart provides the number of physical CPUs, service units per second,
software licensing group, MSU (Millions of Service Units) ratings, GA dates,
and model codes. It also shows our estimates of average, minimum, and maximum
MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second), our estimate of MP (Multi-processor)
degradation, and, especially important, our estimated MIPS by workload
(Batch, Java, WebSphere, Transactional Online and Web-based Online).
We also provide estimated MIPS for customized workload mixes, such as Transaction-Intensive
and Low-I/O.
Many installations use our CPU Chart in their RFPs (Request for Proposals)
or performance guarantees, and most of our newsletter subscribers use it
for their capacity planning estimates. This is also the CPU Chart
that we use for BoxScore,
our software product that analyzes whether you got the expected capacity
and speed out of a new processor.
Click here
to download a PDF file with an extract from the z/OS 1.8 multi-image zSeries
CPU Chart. (You'll need Adobe
Acrobat PDF Reader to view this document.)
Unlike other CPU Charts, we provide the estimated MIPS for LPAR configurations
that are not available as stand-alone models.
Our subscribers receive the CPU Chart at no charge. The CPU Chart
is also available to non-subscribers. The cost is $250.
Which Chart Should You Use?
Most of our MIPS ratings are based on IBM's Large System Performance
Reference (LSPR). But IBM has several sets of benchmarks, which are
based on different releases of the operating system. This results
in different sets of LSPR tables. Therefore, we currently have different
CPU Charts which correspond to these LSPRs. The resulting MIPS for
a given processor may not be consistent across all of the CPU Charts. A
discussion of this variation in described in the CPU Chart itself.
In order to help you understand which CPU Chart to use, please use this
guideline:
March 2008 zSeries Chart - This is the most current CPU
Chart and it replaces all previous charts. It is based on z/OS 1.8
and includes the z10 models that were announced on February 26, 2008.
Both single image and multi-image MIPS are provided.
May 2006 zSeries Chart - This chart updated and replaced
the August 2005 zSeries CPU Chart. It includes the z9-BC (Business
Class) and z9-EC (Enterprise Class) models that were announced on April
27, 2006.
August 2005 zSeries Chart - This version marked a major
change to the structure of the zSeries CPU Chart, based on IBM's decision
to start publishing LSPR values for both Single Image and Multi-Image environments.
The new zSeries CPU Chart contains three worksheets - Single Image values
based on z/OS 1.4, Single Image Values based on z/OS 1.6, and Multi-Image
values based on z/OS 1.6.
April 2004 zSeries Chart and OS/390 Chart - This release
marked the start of two different versions of the CPU Chart - a version
for those running z/OS, and a version for those running the older OS/390
operating system. You should use the CPU Chart that matches the operating
system version you are running. The exception to this might be when
you are comparing an older processor that runs OS/390 to a newer processor
that runs either operating system. Using the OS/390 chart will result
in a more accurate comparison, because it removes any variations caused
by different operating systems. This will probably be the last version
of the OS/390 CPU Chart, and all future enhancements will be made to the
zSeries CPU Chart.
Please note that when you order a CPU Chart,
only the most current will be sent to you. However, if you would
also like one of the previous charts, just send us an email and we will
return it via email at no additional charge.
I would like to order
the CPU Chart.
To the Top