Why Power10 Hardware Became the Value Pick When It Stopped Being New
On 31 July 2026, IBM withdrew most Power10 models from new-unit marketing. That is a quiet, easy-to-miss announcement, but it is the single most important event in this year's Power Value Index update, because it is the moment a generation's secondary market begins forming in earnest.
The Power10 hardware market pattern buyers should watch
Withdrawal from marketing does not mean withdrawal from support. IBM has not announced a Power10 end-of-service date. Buyers get a generation with meaningful support life while the secondary market begins to soften its hardware price.
Why Power10 outscores Power11 on the Market Price input specifically
Power11 still wins on overall PVI because Performance and RUL carry more weight. Power10's edge is specific to hardware value, not capability.
| Input | Power10 | Power11 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance (25%) | 88 | 100 |
| Capacity (15%) | 85 | 100 |
| Remaining Useful Life (20%) | 55 | 100 |
| Market Price (15%) | 70 | 40 |
| Value Retention (10%) | 75 | 60 |
Power11 leads on every input except Market Price and Value Retention. See the Power Value Index for the full weighted calculation.
When Power10 hardware earns the price
If your workload needs Power11-class performance headroom or you are buying for a decade-long hold, Power11's Remaining Useful Life advantage likely justifies its price. If your workload fits comfortably inside Power10's capacity and you are optimizing cash outlay per unit of usable capacity over a shorter window, this is the specific month that trade favors Power10 most.
Sources
- https://www.itjungle.com/2025/11/17/stacking-up-power10-and-power11-systems-price-performance/
- https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpapers/pdfs/redp5728.pdf
Related IBM Power Hardware
IBM Power10 Hardware Value Profile
IBM Power10 hardware now sits in the useful middle between discounted acquisition cost and meaningful support life. That balance makes it the current Power Value Index value pick.
IBM Power11 Hardware Price and Quote Guide
IBM Power11 hardware is configured to order and priced by workload. A useful quote identifies the model and processor feature before software, support, and migration are added.