IBM POWER9 02CY089 socket: LGA 2601

What the POWER9 02CY089 is

The IBM POWER9 02CY089 is an 8-core server processor with a 3.5 GHz base and up to 3.8 GHz turbo frequency. It runs 8 Sforza cores with 4-way threading, so 8 cores give 32 threads. Cache is 512 KB of L2 per core with 32 KB of L1 per core plus 10 MB of L3 per core on a 14 nm SOI process. Power is rated at 160 W in a 50 mm by 50 mm FCLGA-2601 package.

Fewer cores at the highest Sforza clocks give the 02CY089 the strongest single-thread pace in the set, which is why the 8-core string suits workstations such as the Blackbird single-socket microATX board. IBM launched Sforza parts in November 2017. The chip supports Power ISA v3.0 with trusted execution.

High clocks with a 160 W envelope suit single-socket workstations with DDR4 memory. That is why the 02CY089 shipped in owner-controllable workstation boards.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 02CY089 fits LGA 2601 workstations and servers with Sforza support. It needs a 2601-land board with OpenPOWER firmware and a device tree that lists the part. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Single-socket workstations such as Blackbird are the natural match. Boards listing Sforza 8-core parts accept the chip with a 160 W heatsink.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR4 with ECC through the on-chip ports, up to 2 TB per socket. PCIe Gen4 with 48 lanes per socket feeds storage and graphics. Cooling uses workstation heatsinks rated for 160 W.

Upgrade paths

On the same socket, a POWER9 02CY417 such as IBM POWER9 02CY417 doubles cores to 16 at 130 W when throughput matters. A 4-core Sforza on the same list trims cores further for low power.

A move to POWER10 needs a new platform. The LGA 2601 page lists the range for planning.