IBM Nighthawk vs IQM Garnet Specs, Pricing & Performance [2026]
Quick Verdict
Both QPUs have comparable 2Q gate fidelity (~99.50%). IBM Nighthawk offers more physical qubits (120 qubits).
Specification Comparison
| Metric | IBM Nighthawk | IQM Garnet |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Qubits | 120 ✓ | 20 |
| Technology | Superconducting | Superconducting |
| 2Q Gate Fidelity | 99.50% | 99.50% |
| 1Q Gate Fidelity | 99.97% ✓ | 99.94% |
| Readout Fidelity | 99.80% ✓ | 98.50% |
| Quantum Volume | 512 ✓ | 128 |
| CLOPS | 6,000 ✓ | 5,000 |
| T1 (Relaxation) | 350 µs ✓ | 150 µs |
| T2 (Dephasing) | 250 µs ✓ | 100 µs |
| 1Q Gate Time | 60 ns | 20 ns ✓ |
| 2Q Gate Time | 600 ns | 120 ns ✓ |
| Connectivity | Heavy Hex (deg 3) | Custom (deg 4) |
| Max Circuit Depth | 6,000 ✓ | 1,000 |
| Max Shots | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Dynamic Circuits | Yes | No |
| Error Mitigation | Available | Available |
| Cloud Platforms | 2 platforms | 2 platforms |
Green bold values with a checkmark indicate the better result for each metric.
Pricing Comparison
Example: 10-qubit, 50-depth circuit, 1,000 shots — estimated cost on cheapest platform: IBM Nighthawk: $8.00 vs IQM Garnet: $1.75
Superconducting IBM Nighthawk
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Best IBM Quantum | $1.60/sec | Limited |
| qBraid | $1.60/sec | Limited |
Superconducting IQM Garnet
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Best Amazon Braket | $0.001450/shot | Available |
| qBraid | $0.001450/shot | Available |
Use Case Recommendations
More qubits (120 qubits) allows encoding larger problem instances.
Supports dynamic circuits and mid-circuit measurement required for active error correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IBM Nighthawk and IQM Garnet?
Both QPUs have comparable 2Q gate fidelity (~99.50%). IBM Nighthawk offers more physical qubits (120 qubits).
Which is better for quantum chemistry, IBM Nighthawk or IQM Garnet?
For quantum chemistry simulations (VQE, UCCSD), IBM Nighthawk is preferred due to its higher 2Q gate fidelity (99.50% vs 99.50%). Higher gate fidelity directly reduces circuit error rates in chemistry algorithms.
How do the prices compare between IBM Nighthawk and IQM Garnet?
IBM Nighthawk is available from $1.60/sec on IBM Quantum. IQM Garnet is available from $0.001450/shot on Amazon Braket. Note that pricing models differ — per-shot pricing is directly comparable while AQT and HQC models depend on circuit structure.
Which QPU has better connectivity, IBM Nighthawk or IQM Garnet?
IBM Nighthawk uses Heavy Hex connectivity (degree 3) while IQM Garnet uses Custom connectivity (degree 4).
What are the coherence times for IBM Nighthawk vs IQM Garnet?
IBM Nighthawk: T1=350 µs, T2=250 µs. IQM Garnet: T1=150 µs, T2=100 µs. IBM Nighthawk has longer coherence times, which generally allows for deeper circuits before errors accumulate.
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