IBM Power11: Real-World Performance Across the Generations

On 8 July 2025, IBM launched the latest generation of Power Systems: Power11. A platform redesigned with major innovations across its processor, hardware architecture, and virtualisation software stack.

While Power10+ might’ve made sense on paper, Power11 earns its own name with performance increases that are both measurable and meaningful.

IBM claims up to 55% better core performance compared to Power9, along with 45% more capacity in entry and mid-range systems compared to Power10. Combine that with 99.9999% uptime, zero planned downtime, and AI acceleration built in, and it's clear this generation is engineered for the demands of AI, cyber resilience, and hybrid cloud.

I spent some of 9 July reading through the IBM Power Performance Report from Power7 to Power11 (I'm so rock ‘n’ roll, right?) and I’ve pulled out some key highlights to show just how far IBM has pushed the performance of Power chips over the years.

Over my 30+ years in the IBM Power space, from engineering to commercial strategy and cloud infrastructure, one configuration I’ve seen consistently in production and in cloud models is the 8-core system.

🏁 Bonus: Let’s Have a Look at the Top End...

Whenever I’ve looked at a new range of cars, I always like to sneak a look at the top-spec model. If you're buying a BMW 520, you’ve got to check out the M5, right?

The same curiosity applies to Power Systems. While most workloads run on midrange systems, it’s always interesting — and often impressive — to see what the high-end machines in each generation deliver.

With that in mind, here’s how the top-end Power Systems stack up across generations...

Summary

Power11 is more than a generational refresh, it’s a platform built for the age of AI, cyber resilience, and always-on operations.

With:
- Up to 55% better core performance vs Power9
- Zero planned downtime via autonomous patching and LPM
- Less than one-minute ransomware threat detection with Power Cyber Vault
- Built-in support for AI inference acceleration via IBM Spyre
…this generation sets a new bar.

Whatever generation of Power Systems you're running today, Baby Blue can help you take the next step. From benchmarking and right-sizing to support strategy and cloud transformation. We bring deep expertise across the entire Power Systems lifecycle.

If you're reviewing options or just want a second opinion, let’s have a conversation.