Identify Your Power5
Match your machine type to its exact IBM Power5 model, across the 520, 550, 570, and 595 line, before you decide what to do next.
"Power5" isn't one machine, it shipped as two parallel product lines built on the same POWER5 processor: the eServer i5 (later System i) for IBM i workloads, and the eServer p5 (later System p) for AIX and Linux. If you're on IBM i, you almost certainly have an i5 machine type in the 9406 series. The machine type and model (MTM) is on a label on the unit, and it also shows in IBM i via WRKHDWRSC or DSPSYSVAL.
i5 520 (9406-520) -- entry
Deskside or 4U rack, 1-2 processor configurations. The entry point into the Power5 i5 line.
i5 550 (9406-550) -- entry/midrange
4U rack, 1-4 processor configurations, a step up from the 520 for growing shops.
i5 570 (9406-570) -- midrange
4U building-block, 1-16 processors across multiple building blocks. One of the most widely deployed Power5 IBM i models.
i5 595 (9406-595) -- enterprise
Frame-based, up to 64 processors. IBM's flagship enterprise Power5 system for the largest IBM i consolidations.
The p5 line covers the same tiers under different machine types (9111-520, 9113-550, 9117-570, 9119-595) for AIX and Linux workloads. Every model above has been outside IBM's standard hardware support since staged withdrawals between 2019 and 2020. Once you have identified your exact machine, visit its directory page for full specs, then check our end-of-support and risk page and our migration comparison for what comes next.
IBM eServer i5 520 (9406-520)
You have an i5 520 9406-520. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's entry-level Power5 workhorse, outside IBM's standard support since staged 2019-2020 withdrawals.
9406-550IBM eServer i5 550 (9406-550)
You have an i5 550 9406-550. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's step-up Power5 server, outside IBM's standard support since staged 2019-2020 withdrawals.
9406-570IBM eServer i5 570 (9406-570)
You have an i5 570 9406-570. Here's what that means in 2026: one of the most widely deployed Power5 midrange models, outside IBM's standard support since staged 2019-2020 withdrawals.
9406-595IBM eServer i5 595 (9406-595)
You have an i5 595 9406-595. Here's what that means in 2026: IBM's flagship enterprise Power5 system, outside IBM's standard support since staged 2019-2020 withdrawals.