IBM Power9
IBM's 2018 Power generation. Standard IBM service for scale-out models ended 31 January 2026. Currently the strongest cost-per-CPW zone on the secondary market, for a defined, short remaining runway.
Power9 launched in 2018 and remained IBM's flagship lineup until Power10 arrived in 2021. Standard IBM service for scale-out Power9 models ended 31 January 2026 -- essentially now, as this dataset was published -- while the enterprise E980 model retains standard service through the end of 2027.
Power9 at a glance
Power Value Index subscores
Power9 PVI component breakdown
| Component | Weight | Score (0-100) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 25% | 64 | S914 rated 122,500 CPW; S924 up to 370,700 CPW at P20 tier configuration. |
| Capacity | 15% | 62 | Solid mid-range scale-out ceiling, below Power10/11. |
| Remaining Useful Life | 20% | 10 | Standard service for scale-out models ended 31 January 2026. |
| Software Economics | 15% | 55 | Meaningfully better core efficiency than Power8, behind Power10/11. |
| Market Price | 15% | 88 | Highest cost-efficiency score of any generation -- heavy dealer trade-in volume right now. |
| Value Retention | 10% | 55 | Active secondary-market demand keeps a real resale floor despite the support window closing. |
Power9 is the clearest "value-zone, short window" pick in the line-up: strong price-per-performance today, but you are buying a defined, near-term support horizon, not a decade-long platform. See Upgrade Economics for when this trade makes sense.
Sources
- Power9 End of Standard Service Reminder — IBM Power Community
- IBM Power9 Systems and Upgrades — Midland Information Systems
Related Generations
IBM Power8
IBM's 2014 Power generation. Standard IBM service ended across the full line by October 2024. Cheapest to acquire, but scores lowest overall on the Power Value Index because remaining useful life and value retention are near zero.
IBM Power10
IBM's 2021 Power generation, withdrawn from new-unit marketing 31 July 2026. Currently scores highest on the Power Value Index's value measure: strong performance, real modeled runway, and a secondary market that just started forming.
IBM Power11
IBM's current 2025 Power generation. Highest overall Power Value Index score, leading on performance, capacity, and remaining useful life, but the only generation carrying zero acquisition discount.
Related Reading
Reading IBM's Power8-Power11 End-of-Service Pattern for Budgeting
IBM has not announced end-of-service dates for Power10 or Power11. Here is how to budget anyway, using the historical GA-to-EOS pattern from the last two generations.
Reading Secondary-Market Power Hardware Listings Without Getting Burned
Used Power hardware pricing varies wildly by dealer, condition, and included warranty. Here is what to check before treating any listed price as comparable to another.