Migrate to IBM System x

Compare x86 servers

Drive your business forward. IBM System x offers advancements in scalability, reliability and performance.

Learn the benefits of IBM System x compared to competitive x86 servers.

Tab navigation

How does your system stack up against IBM System x?

	IBM	HP	Dell	Oracle
Intel® Xeon® processor-based 4-socket scalable server	System x3850 X5 scales 8-sockets, 64 cores	--	--	--
Three levels of memory protection with IBM Active Memory™ technology	System x3850 X5, System x3950 X5	--	--	--
Intel Xeon EX processor-based 2-socket, 2U server	System x3690 X5	--	--	--
IBM Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA)	Tool that can provide up to 48 hours notice that a component may fail. Select models feature PFA on memory, hard disk drives, CPUs, fans, blowers and voltage regulator modules	Hard disk drives, memory, CPU	Hard disk drives, memory	--
IBM Light path diagnostics	Provides easy notification and identification of a failed component, via an externally visible panel - even if the power is off	Insight Display	--	--
IBM Virtualization Manager	HP charges clients for the capability ¹	--	--	--
IBM Electronic Service Agent™ ('Call home' ability)	Places help calls directly to IBM service and support	--	--	--

¹ http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/proliantessentials/valuepack/vms/ (link resides outside of ibm.com)

© 2008 International Business Machines Corporation. All rights reserved. IBM hardware products are manufactured from new parts, or new and serviceable used parts. Regardless, our warranty terms apply. For a copy of applicable product warranties, write to: Warranty Information, P.O. Box 12195, RTP, NC 27709, Attn: Dept. JDJA/B203. IBM makes no representation or warranty regarding third-party products or services including those designated as ServerProven® or ClusterProven®.

IBM may not offer the products, services or features discussed in this document in other countries, and the information may be subject to change without notice. Consult your local IBM business contact for information on the product or services available in your area. Information about non-IBM products is obtained from the manufacturers of those products or their published announcements. IBM has not tested those products and cannot confirm the performance, compatibility, or any other claims related to non-IBM products. Questions on the capabilities of non-IBM products should be addressed to the suppliers of those products.

All statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only.

The information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication at any time without notice.

Any references in this information to non-IBM Web sites are provided for convenience only and do not in any manner serve as an endorsement of those Web sites. The materials at those Web sites are not part of the materials for this IBM product and use of those Web sites is at your own risk.

Close [x]

Intel® Xeon® processor-based server scalable above 4-sockets

IBM
With a balanced focus on providing breakthrough performance and high availability, the IBM System x3850 X5 allows scalability from 4- to 8-socket configurations and the ability to expand memory by 50% with a unique pay-as-you-grow design for your changing business needs. Ideal applications for these systems include virtualization, ERP, CRM and database.

HP
HP does not offer a 4-socket Intel® Xeon® processor-based server scalable to 8 sockets.
HP does not offer the capability to expand memory independently of the processor.

Dell
Dell does not offer a 4-socket Intel® Xeon® processor-based server scalable to 8 sockets.
Dell does not offer the capability to expand memory independently of the processor.

Oracle
Oracle does not offer a 4-socket Intel® Xeon® processor-based server scalable to 8 sockets.
Oracle does not offer the capability to expand memory independently of the processor.

Close [x]

Three levels of memory protection with IBM Active Memory

IBM
Your client data and intellectual property are vital to your business" success. To help keep your system up and running, IBM System x enterprise servers are designed with a collection of memory technologies called IBM Active Memory™.

IBM Chipkill™ helps effectively recover from a double-bit memory error. Originally created by IBM, Chipkill memory is now a standard for many memory vendors.
IBM Memory ProteXion™ works at the DIMM level to recover from multi-bit memory errors and further prevent data loss.
Memory mirroring with hot-swap support provides the ultimate level of data protection by simultaneously writing to, and reading from, independent and redundant memory cards.

HP
HP does not offer three levels of memory protection.

Dell
Dell does not offer three levels of memory protection.

Oracle
Oracle does not offer three levels of memory protection.

Close [x]

Intel Xeon EX processor-based 2-socket, 2U server

IBM
The IBM x3690 X5 is the industry's only enterprise-class 2-socket server, delivering enterprise performance, features, and reliability at an entry price.

HP does not offer an enterprise 2-socket system.
Dell does not offer an enterprise 2-socket system.
Oracle does not offer an enterprise 2-socket system.

Close [x]

IBM Predictive Failure Analysis

IBM
Extensive IBM Predictive Failure Analysis® (PFA) support provides up to 48 hours warning that a component may fail. PFA illuminates the appropriate light path diagnostics indicator and optionally can send a message to the system administrator. On specific servers, PFA support is enabled for hard disk drives, memory, processors, fans, voltage regulator modules and power supplies. By comparison, many competitive systems offer PFA only for hard disk drives, memory and in some cases processors.

*HP and Dell*
PFA Comparison	IBM System x	HP ProLiant	Dell PowerEdge
Hard disk drives	Yes	Yes	Yes
Memory	Yes	Yes	Yes
Processors	Yes	Yes	No
Fans	Yes	No	No
VRMs	Yes	No	No
Power supplies	Yes	No	No

Close [x]

IBM Light path diagnostics

IBM
Light path diagnostics is a pop-out/drop-down panel with an LED for each major component — processor, memory, hard disk drives, adapter slots, etc. When the system cover is opened, another LED beside the specific component — such as DIMM Slot 12 — identifies the failed part. There is no fumbling about, trying to determine which of the DIMMs needs replacement. And light path diagnostics works even when the server is unplugged. Consider the amount of time light path diagnostics could save your technicians over the life spans of dozens or hundreds of servers. Plus, shorter servicing time can mean less downtime for your servers.

HP
HP Insight Display provides similar functionality to light path diagnostics on their ProLiant DL585 M2, but Insight Display doesn"t function when the power is turned off. Additionally, on uni, 2-socket servers and blades, Insight Display is not as comprehensive as light path diagnostics.

Dell
Dell has diagnostic lights covering only a limited number of components and it does not function when the power is turned off.

Sun
Sun does not offer similar functionality.

Close [x]

IBM Virtualization Manager

IBM
IBM Virtualization Manager is an optional extension for IBM Director. Virtualization Manager allows you to manage physical and virtual machines from a single console. Combining IBM Director and Virtualization Manager, simplifies management of VMware ESX Server, Microsoft Virtual Server, Xen and IBM POWER™-based virtual server environments. Virtualization Manager also integrates VMware VirtualCenter and IBM Director for advanced virtual machine management including invoking VMware VMotion directly from user interface or through automated policies.

HP
HP offers similar functionality but charges for it. 1

Dell
Dell does not offer this functionality.

Sun
Sun does not offer similar functionality.

Close [x]

IBM Electronic Service Agent™

IBM
IBM Electronic Services integrates the IBM support community with your company to ensure that your IT environment is running with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. The two components of this strategy are IBM Electronic Service Agent™ and the IBM Electronic Services Web site.

HP
HP does not offer this functionality.

Dell
Dell does not offer this functionality.

Sun
SUN does not offer this functionality.

Considering a data center migration?

Join Cal Braunstein, Analyst for Robert Frances Group, Joe DeBella, CIO at Arizona Beverage, and Dave Carlquist, IBM VP of Competitive Strategy in two upcoming events: