Lenovo System x

System x
Company type	Product line
Industry	Computer servers
Predecessor	IBM PC Server, IBM Netfinity, IBM eServer xSeries
Founder	IBM
Fate	x86 server division sold to Lenovo in 2014
Successor	Lenovo System x
Area served	Worldwide
Products	x86 servers (tower and rack-mounted)
Owner	Lenovo (since 2014), formerly IBM
Parent	Lenovo (since 2014), formerly IBM

System x represents a series of x86 servers initially developed by IBM and subsequently manufactured by Lenovo. This lineup was part of IBM's broader System portfolio, which also includes IBM Power Systems, IBM System z, and IBM System Storage. The System x servers served as the foundation for the IBM System Cluster 1350 offering.

In January 2014, IBM agreed to transfer its x86 server division to Lenovo for $2.3 billion, with the deal reaching completion on October 1, 2014.

History

The lineage of this product family traces back to the PS/2 Server, progressing through iterations such as the IBM PC Server, which was renamed Netfinity, then became eServer xSeries, and ultimately was branded as System x. These servers incorporated standard x86 processors and were positioned as IBM’s entry-level server solutions, distinct from their POWER and Mainframe systems. Initially, servers powered by AMD Opteron processors were marketed separately from the xSeries but were eventually integrated into the System x brand.

IBM PS/2 Server

IBM PS/2 Server 85 (Type 9585), released in 1992
IBM PS/2 Server 95 (Types 8595, 9595, 9595A), produced between 1990 and 1992
IBM PS/2 Server 195, introduced in 1993
IBM PS/2 Server 295, launched in 1992

PC Server lineup

IBM PC Server 300, issued in 1994
IBM PC Server 310 (PCI/ISA), from 1996
IBM PC Server 315 (PCI/ISA), released in 1996
IBM PC Server 320 (PCI/EISA), introduced in 1996
IBM PC Server 325 (PCI/EISA), launched in 1996
IBM PC Server 330 (PCI/EISA), available from 1997
IBM PC Server 500 (MCA), debuted in 1994
IBM PC Server 520 (PCI/EISA or PCI/MCA), produced between 1995 and 1996
IBM PC Server 704 (PCI/EISA), issued in 1996
IBM PC Server 720 (PCI/MCA), available from 1995 to 1996

Numbering conventions

The 300 series targeted high-volume, entry-level servers
The 500 series represented midrange systems
The 700 series encompassed high-end servers

IBM Netfinity

The Netfinity server range was active from 1998 to 2001 and should not be confused with the similarly named IBM software product NetFinity.

Netfinity models

IBM Netfinity 1000
IBM Netfinity 3000 and 3500
IBM Netfinity 4000R and 4500R
IBM Netfinity series including: 5000, 5100, 5500, with variants such as the 5500-M10, 5500-M20, and the model 5600
IBM Netfinity 6000R
Models like IBM Netfinity 7000, its variant M10, plus the 7100 and the high-capacity 7600
IBM Netfinity rack-mount model: 8500R

Numbering system

Originally reflecting the naming scheme of the earlier IBM PC Servers, this line later expanded to include an entry-level segment designated by the 1000 series. Models featuring an "R" suffix indicate rack-mount configurations.

KVM cabling

Certain units utilized IBM’s proprietary C2T Keyboard/Video/Mouse cabling technology.

eServer portfolio

IBM unified its various server lines under the eServer brand: AS/400 systems became known as IBM eServer iSeries, RS/6000 evolved into IBM eServer pSeries, S/390 mainframes were rebranded as IBM eServer zSeries, while Intel-based Netfinity servers transitioned into the IBM eServer xSeries category.

Exceptions to this rebranding included:

AMD-powered models such as IBM eServer 325, e326, and e326m
The IBM eServer BladeCenter family, including BladeCenter T, H, and HT variants

Numbering approach

AMD-based products like the e325, e326, and BladeCenter lines were excluded from the xSeries grouping for marketing purposes and placed directly under the broader eServer label. Their model numbers corresponded with comparable Intel xSeries devices—such as the x335 and x336—but these specific numbers were reserved to prevent confusion.

IBM eServer xSeries

Primarily, the processors used were Intel x86 (IA32); however, certain models such as the x380, x382, x450, and x455 incorporated Intel Itanium (IA64) processors.

xSeries lineup

IBM eServer xSeries 100, 130, 135, 150
IBM eServer xSeries 200–260 series encompassing tower servers and their variations
IBM eServer xSeries 300–382 series of rack-mounted servers
IBM eServer xSeries 440–460 scalable rack-mounted servers

Model numbering system

100 series: entry-level tower configurations
200 series: tower server models
300 series: rack-mounted servers
400 series: scalable rack-mounted systems

KVM cabling configuration

A significant number of xSeries servers employed IBM's C2T cabling method for Keyboard/Video/Mouse connections.

IBM System x product line

IBM System x3100 series (including M3, M4, M5 iterations)
IBM System x3200 series (from M2 through M6 versions)
IBM System x3300 M3 and M4
IBM System x3350
IBM System x3400 series (M2 and M3), along with x3450 and x3455
IBM System x3500 series (M2 to M4)
IBM System x3530 M3 and M4
IBM System x3550 series (M2 through M5)
IBM System x3620 M3
IBM System x3630 M3 and M4
IBM System x3650 series (including T, 3655, plus multiple M variants up to M5)
IBM System x3690 X5
IBM System x3750 M4
IBM System x3755 and its M3 variant
IBM System x3800 and the x3850 series (M2, X5, X6 models)
IBM System x3950 series (M2, X5, X6)

Lenovo System x portfolio

Following Lenovo's acquisition, these models continued the legacy of IBM's designs under the Lenovo brand:

Lenovo System x3100 M5
Lenovo System x3250 M5 and M6
Lenovo System x3500 M5
Lenovo System x3550 M4 and M5
Lenovo System x3650 M4 and M5
Lenovo System x3850 X6
Lenovo System x3950 X6
Lenovo NextScale
Lenovo FlexSystem

Lenovo also marketed the ThinkServer family of Intel-based servers, which were positioned as more basic compared to the System x lineup. The System x range is gradually being replaced by the Lenovo ThinkSystem series.

Model numbering details

The second digit reflects the performance tier; the third digit specifies tower (0) versus rack-mount (5) form factors; the fourth digit differentiates between Intel processors (0) and AMD Opteron processors (5). Models with a 'T' suffix are designed specifically for telecommunications use.

IBM iDataPlex

Launched in 2008, the IBM System x iDataPlex gained prominence in TOP500 supercomputers including SuperMUC, Yellowstone, and Stampede. It was also deployed in smaller scale environments such as SciNet Consortium's General Purpose Cluster.

Its unique architecture consisted of two columns of shallow-depth 19" rack servers arranged side-by-side within a single rack, maximizing space efficiency in extensive data center environments. The reduced depth necessitated custom server designs and was commonly paired with Rear Door Heat Exchangers (RDHx) to facilitate effective water-based cooling.

In 2014, the iDataPlex was superseded by IBM NeXtScale.

System components

The iDataPlex system was offered either as a preassembled rack tower solution (System x iDataPlex Rack with an optional Rack management appliance) or as individual node units.

Rack design

The iDataPlex utilized a compact dual rack configuration of 100U height with a footprint measuring 1200x600mm, which is smaller than the conventional dual 42U racks sized at 1280x1050mm.

Chassis

System x iDataPlex 2U Flex enclosure
System x iDataPlex 3U Flex enclosure — offers enhanced cooling and expanded storage capabilities compared to the 2U model.

These chassis could also be mounted in conventional racks by utilizing alternative rail systems.

Nodes

The lineup of 1U blade servers comprised:

System x iDataPlex dx320
System x iDataPlex dx340
System x iDataPlex dx360 M1 (introduced in 2008)
System x iDataPlex dx360 M2 (released in 2009)
System x iDataPlex dx360 M3
System x iDataPlex dx360 M4 (launched in 2013)

References