Specifications

Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 45
MaxCore mode
MaxCore mode is for workloads that benefit from a higher number of cores and threads
handling multiple tasks simultaneously that take advantage of increased parallelism.
MaxCore mode provides up to eight cores and up to 32 threads per POWER7 processor.
POWER7 processor 4-core and 6-core offerings
The base design for the POWER7 processor is an 8-core processor with 32 MB of on-chip L3
cache (4 MB per core). However, the architecture allows for differing numbers of processor
cores to be active, 4 cores or 6 cores, as well as the full 8-core version.
In most cases (MaxCore mode), the L3 cache associated with the implementation is
dependant on the number of active cores. For a 6-core version, this typically means that
6 x 4 MB (24 MB) of L3 cache is available. Similarly, for a 4-core version, the L3 cache
available is 16 MB.
Optimized for servers
The POWER7 processor forms the basis of a flexible compute platform and can be offered in
a number of guises to address differing system requirements.
The POWER7 processor can be offered with a single active memory controller with four
channels for servers where higher degrees of memory parallelism are not required.
Similarly, the POWER7 processor can be offered with a variety of SMP bus capacities that
are appropriate to the scaling-point of particular server models.
Figure 2-6 outlines the physical packaging options that are supported with POWER7
processors.
Figure 2-6 Outline of the POWER7 processor physical packaging
Note: TurboCore is available on the Power 780 and Power 795.
Note: The 4-core processor is not available on the Power 770 and Power 780.
Single Chip Organic
1 x Memory Controller
Local broadcast SMP links active
Single Chip Glass Ceramic
2 x Memory Controllers
Local broadcast SMP links active
Global broadcast SMP links active