ARMONK, N.Y. — IBM introduced a new line of mainframe computers on Tuesday that the company calls its most powerful and technologically advanced ever.

IBM said its zEnterprise EC12 mainframe server is designed to help clients securely and quickly sift through massive amounts of data, meeting the demands of retail and other clients in the age of ‘‘Big Data.’’ Running at 5.5 GHz, IBM said the microprocessor that powers the mainframe is the fastest chip in the world. Processing speed is 25 percent faster than the previous model.

Mainframes are used by corporate clients ranging from banks to chain stores. IBM says the new model could be used by retailers to manage online transactions and analyze clients’ buying habits and then use the information to create a ‘‘more customized shopping experience,’’ such as a custom coupon issued during a transaction.

IBM says more than $1 billion was spent on research and development for the system at 18 sites worldwide.

The new mainframe is being promoted as one of the most secure systems ever with a tamper-resistant cryptographic co-processor to provide privacy for sensitive transactions.