However, responding to Sun's benchmarking figures, the system x brand manager at IBM's systems and technology group, Dean Janjic, said blade servers are about more than CPU's.

Janjic said IBM holds the number one market share position worldwide for blade based servers, and has led the market since launching its BladeCentre range back in 2002.

He said BladeCentre customers have a wide array of CPU technologies to choose from including Intel Corp., AMD, Power and even Cell based multi-core blades.

"Some competitors are limited to a few or even one type of CPU technology; but we recognize customers have varying application requirements and budgets," Janjic said.

"IBM also offers customers the choice of either two or four socket blades. In fact, the IBM LS41 is the industry's only four socket capable blade that offers true pay as you grow upgradability.