IBM 64-bit PowerPC

Well boys and girls what you are about to read is what I think the next 'MAJOR' bump to the PowerMac will be powered by.... And it AIN'T a MOT CPU!!!

"IBM is disclosing the technical details of a new 64-bit PowerPC microprocessor designed for desktops and entry-level servers. Based on the award winning Power4 design, this processor is an 8-way superscalar design that fully supports Symmetric MultiProcessing. The processor is further enhanced by a vector processing unit implementing over 160 specialized vector instructions and implements a system interface capable of up to 6.4GB/s."

And before anyone asks...

In articles where Altivec has been written about they also state phrase 'over 160 specialized vector instructions' so even if IBM can't or ain't calling it Altivec it sure as heck 'sounds' pretty dern close.

Link: http://www.mdronline.com/mpf/conf.html

EDIT..

Oh and HyperTransport just happens to be/support 6.4 GB/s.

Dave

Sounds good so far...

Too bad that conference is in October...it would rule out a G5 in August.

Disclosing new technical details? This won't be ready anytime soon - at least not something to get excited about yet. Its all *futuretech*, and its not happening till October. Nice specs though - love to have one now.

D

Well, based upon Apple's current rollout of "new" technologies, we should be seeing this in no LESS than a year... sounds promising but I'm certainly not expecting to see it any time soon.

Originally posted by dukestreet
Disclosing new technical details? This won't be ready anytime soon - at least not something to get excited about yet. Its all *futuretech*, and its not happening till October. Nice specs though - love to have one now.

I'm not so sure about that... hey you might be right but if the next PowerMac really does have a MASIVE heatsync (as per those leaked pics) then this sure as heck could be the reason... 8 way superscalar (all things being equal - but their not) that means twice as fast as the G4 at a given speed!! :eek: (the G4 is 4 way superscalar)

Dave

30th post...

I would love to see such a thing. It would be AMAZING if Apple could beat the PC makers to the puch and offer HyperTransport before they did. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that HyperTransport has been adopted yet in the PC world (haven't seen mobos supporting it, not card, etc.)

Too bad it probably won't happen...:(

We have no idea how long IBM has been working on this. It could be close, which goes along with some information that came with those deleted pictures. It is said to be "next generation G5 ready." If so, Steve anounces the new PowerMac line up with G4s now, and introduces the soon to be released G5. Then Apple will really have the power to run very high end video applications. No? It could also go into a 2U or 3U rackmount, as the anouncement said "for desktops and entry level servers." I hope we won't be disapointed.

It all makes some sense now. I think the statement that the Canadian Motorola made about Moto stopping development on the PPC for the desktop market is true. Apple has probably been working with IBM for some time now in this processor. I would make a bet...and a pretty sure one at that...IBM will take over the PowerPC for Apple in the future...you can count out AMD and Intel...this is the way Apple will go....mark my word on this.

Motorola = Semi conductor company
Motorolla = German moped parts store