Comments on: Sun, Fujitsu promise Sparc speed surge

The two chip designers tout performance improvements set to arrive in their new Sparc models.

[hutchike]

Sparc64 VI versus IBM Power 6

I'd love to see some head-to-head comparisons of the Sparc64 VI versus IBM's Power 6. As a Sun investor, I'm keen to see the Sparc win the benchmark battles, and come to market earlier than IBM.

[Shankland]

reporter responds: benchmarks

There will doubtless be several benchmarks to pick from, but there's an unpleasant void when it comes to higher-end server tests. IBM has optimized its processors for TPC-C, an expensive test of high-end database performance. Sun, though, refuses to run TPC-C on the argument that it's obsolete. (It was created in 1993.) It's possible we'll see a TPC-C replacement (http://news.com.com/Repairs+under+way+for+server+speed+tests/2100-1013_3-5708963.html), but don't hold your breath. There are other options, such as SAP's SD (see http://www.sap.com/solutions/benchmark), but that doesn't explicitly factor in price, alas.

[meh130]

Wrong Comparison

SPARC64-VI will ship in servers in early 2007, about six months ahead of POWER6. The real comparison will be SPARC64-VI to POWER5+ and Intel's Montecito (all three are 90nm designs). Then the next big comparison will be POWER6 and Niagara 2 (both are 65nm designs), and Intel's Montvale (which remains at 90nm).

As the three vendors are on different tempos, it is hard to make head to head comparisons. Instead, leapfrogging is inevitable, and direct comparisons are somewhat unfair.

In 2008, POWER6+ (remaining at 65nm, number of cores unknown), SPARC64-VII (65nm, quad-core), and Intel Tukwila (65nm, quad-core) will be an interesting comparison.

[chuck_whealton]

Re: Sparc64 VI versus IBM Power 6

Well at least there's still processor competition and it's not going
to be an Intel-only world; at least not anytime soon.

I'd be curious to see those comparisons myself. I'll say that I've
been very impressed (overall) with IBM's technology.

Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com