= Power9 =

Notes about IBM/OpenPower's Power9 CPUs.

<<TableOfContents>>

== CPUs ==

=== SKUs ===

 * [[https://en.wikichip.org/wiki/ibm/microarchitectures/power9|Power9 on WikiChip]]
 * [[https://forums.raptorcs.com/index.php/topic,61.0.html|List of IBM Power9 part numbers]]

Interesting ones:

 * 02CY771: 12c, 48t, 105W. 2.2/3.8 GHz base/boost. Can find on eBay, Newegg, etc.
 * 02CY089: 8c, 32t. 160W, 3.5/3.8GHz base/boost. Likely the same as [[https://secure.raptorcs.com/content/BK1B02/intro.html|Raptor Computing Systems BK1B02]].

== Mainboards ==

=== Blackbird ===

See [[https://secure.raptorcs.com/content/BK1MB1/intro.html|Raptor Computing Systems BKMB1]]. There is a Blackbird II, but differences appear to be cooling-related only, and only sold as a component of the [[https://secure.raptorcs.com/content/BK1SD1/intro.html|Blackbird Secure Desktop]].

==== RAM ====

See this [[https://wiki.raptorcs.com/wiki/POWER9_Hardware_Compatibility_List/Memory|memory compatibility list]].

Samsung M393A4K40BB1-CRC 32 GiB 2Rx4 modules supported (same as X10SDV).

Samsung M393A8K40B22-CWD appears to be the only 64 GiB modules supported.

==== Cases ====

Fractal Design Meshify C Mini (for µATX)

== Community ==

 * [[https://forums.raptorcs.com/|Raptor Computing Systems forum]]
 * [[https://www.talospace.com/|Talospace blog]]

Articles:

 * [[https://drewdevault.com/2019/10/10/RaptorCS-redemption.html|RaptorCS's redemption: the Power9 machine works]], w/ [[https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenPOWER/comments/dr47qh/raptorcss_redemption_the_power9_machine_works/|reddit discussion]]

== Archival ==

 * [[https://www.crowdsupply.com/raptor-computing-systems/talos-secure-workstation|Talos Secure Workstation at CrowdSupply]]: crowdfunding campaign for POWER8-based workstation

= Cooling =

 * [[https://customthermoelectric.com/tf-if5050-indium-foil-50-x-50mm.html|50x50 indium foil for use as a TIM]]

= Parts =

BMC serial: Supermicro CBL-0010L is also compatible and only$1.60 at their Website, but costs $10+ to ship from them or costs more everywhere else online. Used [[https://pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6.cgi?action=Search&search=07121|DB9M to IDC10 Serial DTK PORT]], $6 total.

= Reading =

[[https://sthbrx.github.io/blog/2018/08/15/improving-performance-of-phoronix-benchmarks-on-power9/|Improving performance of Phoronix benchmarks on POWER9]]

From Hacker News:

 * [[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20748711&p=2|IBM Open-Sources Power Chip Instruction Set]]

[[https://www.osnews.com/story/133093/review-blackbird-secure-desktop-a-fully-open-source-modern-power9-workstation-without-any-proprietary-code/|Review: Blackbird Secure Desktop – a fully open source modern POWER9 workstation without any proprietary code]] from OSnews

[[https://www.talospace.com/2019/06/a-semi-review-of-raptor-blackbird.html|A semi-review of the Raptor Blackbird POWER9]] from Talospace.

[[https://www.reddit.com/r/libreboot/comments/6tww22/talos_ii_secure_workstation_from_raptor/|TALOS II Secure Workstation, from Raptor Engineering]] [reddit]. 15 Aug 2017.

[[https://www.fitzsim.org/blog/?p=350|An excellent machine]]. 2 Oct 2018.

[[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20749369|I own a Talos II]]: HN thread

[[https://drewdevault.com/2019/09/23/RaptorCS-Blackbird-a-horror-story.html|RaptorCS Power9 Blackbird PC: An expensive mistake]]. 23 Sept 2019. [[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21049093|HN thread]].

= Notes =

Every computer in the EU storing protected data is in breach of the GDPR if running on an Intel or AMD CPU.