Nearing the end of PowerMacs?

[hobie]

Originally posted by ddtlm
hobie:


Eh? It is true that adding space-munching things like on-die caches will lower the average watts per surface area, but it does nothing but increase the overall heat output of the processor and it does not address the hotspots of the processor. Larger die sizes are motivated by the drive for higher performance, and nothing else.

The heat problem is not going to be solved until processors are no longer built by methods in use today.

As I said, once the heat problems are solved, processors get smaller again. Of course, you need to change the production process, material and the chip architecture.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Last time I heard the word "PCI"? I dunno, every time I talk about nonlinear editing. Firewire is only useful DV which is at the bottom of the professional barrel when it comes to format choices. BeatSP, DigiBeta,HD and any other formats that need to be capture uncompressed all require bandwidth that FW (either version) can't handle which means you need a, gasp, PCI card to get the a/v onto yer machine. Reliable wireless HDDs? Not any time soon. Wireless SCSI RAID setups that are interference proof? How fast is wireless today? How fast is a top dollar SCSI RAID?

Workstations/desktops will always be around because non-computer technology is always changing and there will always be new and different devices that need to communicate w/computers in new and different ways. So thru the use of PCI or PCI Express (or whatever the "next gen" of slots is called) workstations/desktops can be customized or upgraded to take advantage of the new tech w/o having to buy a whole new machine.

For home use it's a complete different story. Most users don't need any more speed or power than they currently have(one reason for lower Desktop sales in general, IMO). Personally, I'd love to get a 12" PB and Airport so I can surf and network from all over my apartment.

I know someday things will change but the current laptop and desktop "form factors" are going to be w/us for quite a while. I agree w/FlamDrag that things won't always be this way, but I think his timetable is 15yrs or so too fast.


Lethal

 

[ddtlm]

hobie:

As I said, once the heat problems are solved, processors get smaller again.

That statement is as wrong the second time as it was the first. Die sizes are not large because of heat.

Of course, you need to change the production process, material and the chip architecture.

The heat problem will only be "solved" by a processor that bears little or no relation to those available today.