IBM zEC12: The Third-Generation High-Frequency Mainframe Microprocessor

The zEnterprise EC12 is the latest generation of IBM's System z Enterprise Class mainframe servers. The microprocessor operates at an ultra-high frequency of 5.5 GHz and incorporates many pipeline-optimization and instruction-processing techniques. It also supports innovative instruction- set-architecture extensions for future software exploitation to acquire performance gains. This article highlights the various factors inside the zEC12 microprocessor for achieving the best possible computing performance.