IBM Powers Up New Chip

IBM said the Power6 uses a variety of technological innovations to allow the two cores to run at higher speeds while keeping a lid on energy consumption. According to IBM, the Powe6 has upped the speed of the so-called pipeline stages which perform operations during each single cycle of clock time.

Certain circuits on the chip can also switch between high- and low-voltage modes and have been separated from less energy-efficient circuits, the company said.

Shares of IBM were off 0.8%, or 83 cents, at $107.16 in midday trading Monday.