Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

IBM Announces the PowerPC 970MP

In my opinion a CPU is the physical chip, so a dual chip, dual core computer has only 2 CPUs but 4 cores. If it should be counted as 4 CPUs, the term CPU and core would be equal, wouldn't it? And if so, why introduce the core term at all?

How the OS counts the CPUs isn't very relevant, because it claims that hyperthreading means two CPUs, but I don't think anyone would define a single chip P4 computer as having two CPUs (expect the OS of course).
 
gekko513 said:
In my opinion a CPU is the physical chip, so a dual chip, dual core computer has only 2 CPUs but 4 cores. If it should be counted as 4 CPUs, the term CPU and core would be equal, wouldn't it? And if so, why introduce the core term at all?
Click to expand...

Yep, that's pretty much it, however the CPU isn't necessary the physical chip. A core is, for all intents and purposes, a CPU - so it's best to actually use the term "CPU-core" to avoid confusion. Therefore, with dual CPU-cores, (or just "dual cores" as some people call it), both CPUs are on one chip - and in that regards, CPUs are not the actual chip.

In a way, it's just semantics... ;) :cool:

Oh, and AidenShaw can correct me if I'm wrong... :eek:
 
gekko513 said:
In my opinion a CPU is the physical chip, so a dual chip, dual core computer has only 2 CPUs but 4 cores. If it should be counted as 4 CPUs, the term CPU and core would be equal, wouldn't it? And if so, why introduce the core term at all?

How the OS counts the CPUs isn't very relevant, because it claims that hyperthreading means two CPUs, but I don't think anyone would define a single chip P4 computer as having two CPUs (expect the OS of course).
Click to expand...

I would say a CPU is the "core" logic on a chip, because it is more central than the cache memory and any other secondary stuff that may also be on the chip. (don't some chips with two cores have just one shared cache? I'm not current on this, but I thought I read a Power5 was that way) I think you've got a good point in asking why the term "core" should be introduced at all when they could have just talked about a dual CPU chip. I would say hyperthreading is a way of putting two threads onto one CPU, so I would agree that if the OS counts hyperthreading as two CPUs it isn't relevant to how many physical CPUs or cores there are.

Regarding the 970MP PowerMac prediction, I'm hoping for a dual dual 2.0 Ghz at a reasonable price. It is an interesting question whether a single dual 2.0 should be more or less expensive than a dual single 2.0, and whether the dual single 2.7 would be replaced with a dual dual 2.5.
 
I'd probably have trouble closing the thing. It would be like trying to fold a map back up the right way. It definitely looks the part of desktop replacement, though.

Squire
 
SHANGRI said:
I'm not sure if this has been posted before but this concept powerbook G5 kind of makes you drool! Powerbook G5
Click to expand...

It looks nice but would be a tad bit impractical. Just think of how many points of failure there would be. All those hinges plus all those flexible cables connecting them together. Plus some people can't even use a laptop properly, imagine trying to get them to understand that.
 
SHANGRI said:
I'm not sure if this has been posted before but this concept powerbook G5 kind of makes you drool! Powerbook G5
Click to expand...

Yikes. Too ugly and non-Apple like. Not very simplistic and clean in its design, and far too complicated - definitely not something Apple would release, and a good thing too, as I doubt many people would buy that abomination. Still though, always neat to see concept drawings. Let's just hope this one stays a "concept" though... ;) :cool:
 
it would be nice to see a line of apple powerbook tablets. IBM's new X series looks hot! As for dual core are these puppies 64bit? I dig the idea for multitasking as running Photoshop cs2, After Effects, and Final Cut all at once (which sometimes is what i need to do) can be a little trying. As i understand it each chip gets dedicated to a different task which could theoretically be like a double speed increase. Also with only one dual core chip rather than dual processors there is way less heat which is promising for the lappies.
 
G5

I guess my taste is quit different from you guys. I like it's adaptability it's free stile a deviation from the norm, things are only as complicated as you want to make them.. it says Apple through and through to me! :p :rolleyes:
 
SHANGRI said:
I'm not sure if this has been posted before but this concept powerbook G5 kind of makes you drool! Powerbook G5
Click to expand...


Yes, that is a very complicated looking design. Would wonder about usability and longevity. Agree that it has a Windows look. It certainly has a lot of surface area to aid with the cooling problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back