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Freescale Confirms Dual Core G4
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iMeowbot said:
Discreet meaning non-integrated.
The fancy ones have dual on-board memory controllers, dual on-board PCIe controllers, and other stuff built into the CPU die.
The "Discreet" one means that it's just the processor alone, and all those other components must be provided for it on the logic board.
I don't think there will be much vibration going on... Unless you're so excited when you get one in your lap, that you can't stop jiggling.
Dharvabinky
dang, my homie just bought a powerbook and ipod (cram and jam) this saturday. But it's not like people could time things perfectly, and besides, it's not for sure that the powerbook will use the dual core processors ... or is it pretty obvious.
I just want to see real world what these new chips can do. Here's to hoping that they perform well. Who cares if they are labeled G4 or whatever. If the performance is great the label doesn't matter to me.
If these things really do surface in time for the next PB revision *very doubful* then we could see the Powerbooks outperforming the 1.8ghz G5 very easily. This chip is what Moto/Freescale should have released to compete with the G5 when IBM showed it to Apple, not over a year after its release...
The G5 is a problem with the PB and this might well provide for performance increases until a G5 PB is ready. Apple might have to wait until the 65nm Gx chip is out before they can put it into a PB. They will be trying, but it's a hard task.
There is also the interesting situation where a dual core G4 might end up in the eMac and iBook in a year, which would make them fly.
Apple has a lot more choices than they had in the days of Moto. Clearly Freescale has been lot loose to achieve results - a far cry from the Moto days.
There is also the interesting situation where a dual core G4 might end up in the eMac and iBook in a year, which would make them fly.
Apple has a lot more choices than they had in the days of Moto. Clearly Freescale has been lot loose to achieve results - a far cry from the Moto days.
No shipping product = moto vaporware
Moto can release as many press releases as they want. In the end the only thing that matters is a shipping product. Let me ask. Is Moto even shipping 90nm products yet? Do they even have a reliable fab plant to crank out 90nm chips?
Again right now its all hype.
Moto can release as many press releases as they want. In the end the only thing that matters is a shipping product. Let me ask. Is Moto even shipping 90nm products yet? Do they even have a reliable fab plant to crank out 90nm chips?
Again right now its all hype.
the_mole1314 said:
Actually only the MPC7448 is a candidate for the current generation of iBooks and PowerBooks since it is pin compatible. The others would require a major redesign (which also seems worthwhile, if Freescale could actually deliver.) If volume is there, the MPC7448 could be used for both the iBook and Powerbook with clocking being the big differentiator. At a 90NM process, the cost of the MPC7448 should be a lot cheaper than the MPC7447. Too the added benefit of lower power/heat should allow for smaller form factor and longer battery notebooks, all for a lower cost.
Supposedly samples are already going out. But, volume is what counts and the 90NM process transition has been a bear for everyone els (Intel, IBM and AMD.) Freescale being late to the 90NM party may actually give them the advantage since they can learn from the mistakes of their peers. And, Apple would be foolish not to try to help Freescale succeed. Afterall, it is a new company with a management focused on processors and not cell phones. So we'll have to wait (ugh) and see.SiliconAddict said:
macridah said:
Let's start...!!!
If those chips are not for the PB's, there is no device for those...
Didn't you notice that "Cram and jam"-Like promotions is to free room for new PB's...?
The MPC7448 is pretty obvious answer...
...
Should I return my PB? I just got it with "Cram and Jam" .... Help!! (Gotta love those posts) The current G5, but IBM still needs to use more advanced materials, Low-K, etc that was in the original roadmap. And, it will be with the integration of newer materials that the 970 family will come down into Notebook range.kenaustus said:
insidedanshead said:
OK. I don't know the specific specs and haven't seen how the architecture is laid out but dual core on a 200Mhz FSB?!?!
Are they insane? Can you say bandwidth starved? If this does somehow make it into a PowerBook here's hoping the memory controller is onboard as well or things are going to get really ugly.stingerman is saying exactly what I've been thinking. The non-7448 ones probably will not have a home in anything for the forseeable future. I'd guess at least 1 (probably 2) speed bumps with 74xx processors for the PowerBook, and the eMac will probably have the same. I hope the iBook gets some L2 cache enlargment...it could use it.
Joe, you obviously have not personally seen the iMac G5. Because if you had, you would understand the size difference between the 17" version and the 17" PowerBook. While the iMac G5 is impressively compact (when compared to other desktop computers), it weighs 18.5 pounds versus a mere 6.9 lbs for the it's 17" PowerBook counterpart, roughly three times the computer. In short, it's wwwaaaaayyyy bigger. Not even close to the PowerBook.JoePike said:
Also, in considering size, the iMac doesn't have to also squeeze in a keyboard and a lid to close -- the PowerBook does. Add more weight if it did, plus that's just that much more to squeeze into a PowerBook. Plus, I would not even consider thinking it a possibility that a G5 would ever go into the entire PowerBook lineup at the same time... that will never happen. The 12" and the 15" versions will have a G4 in them long after the 17" version gets it. If for no other reason than to sell the top tier product. But, I feel the logical reason would still be heat for the bottom two computers.
I was surprised when I first saw the lineup of new iMacs. They're bigger than they look on the web. It's going to take some fancy engineering to figure this one out.
Bring them on! It now matters to me when the PowerBooks are updated. Last year I got my 12" PB (1GHz) and my brother got an iPod under a promotion. Now he wants to get an iBook but is waiting for the update. Now I want the iPod. But the "Cram and Jam" deal only goes on until about November so I'll only be able to get the bonus iPod (for £70 instead of £200) if the PowerBooks are updated before then (as the iBooks can't upgrade until the PowerBooks do). Dual Core G4 PBs now please!
devman said:
umm... have u ever heard of Mac OS 10.4 "tiger" the kernal is going to be 64 bit.
This Dual core would be great to see in laptops. Can't wait to see Apple's reaction to freescale, if they are going to use these chips.
ibsnowedin
Also, if you guys take a look, the 7448 is essentially a e600 core on a chip, whereas 8641/8641D have the e600 core(s) AND system controller functionality on-die (including memory controller), so they're not constrained to a front-side bus or even a northbridge for that matter as they can interface directly with peripherals (hence the higher pin count for PCIe devices and memory, etc).
The 8641(D) look similar to the Athlon 64, but they include PCIe interfaces in addition to the memory controller (although this one is DDR2 and the A64 is DDR1) and I/O link (which is Hypertransport on the Athlon 64). Those are the makings of a very modern processor...let's hope performance is in line
The 8641(D) look similar to the Athlon 64, but they include PCIe interfaces in addition to the memory controller (although this one is DDR2 and the A64 is DDR1) and I/O link (which is Hypertransport on the Athlon 64). Those are the makings of a very modern processor...let's hope performance is in line
I gathered from reading the press release that they have a bus (MPX) the scales to 667Mhz. I thought the other processors had essentilly the same specs without the second core.SiliconAddict said:OK. I don't know the specific specs and haven't seen how the architecture is laid out but dual core on a 200Mhz FSB?!?!
10.4
Tiger utilizes a 64bit kernel. As I've said before, it downshifts to accommodate 32bit processes.
devman said:
Tiger utilizes a 64bit kernel. As I've said before, it downshifts to accommodate 32bit processes.
No, this means that Apple can just swap this chip in without a redesign of anything for the next rev. In other words, it will be a viable chip for the next update. (In contrast, a G5 won't fit - it will require a complete redesign of the entire 'Book). It's nigh-on impossible to change the chips or upgrade PowerBooks yourself.itsa said: