What do you think is the probability of the PPC 970-based Gx's to come in quad configurations? My take on it is that since Apple wants more the higher-end graphics market, they'll probably end up having one in the 2nd or 3rd generation models.
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Possiblity of Quad Configs?
- Thread starter Sauron's Master
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PPC 970
IBM has stated it to SMP-capable and apparently designed for 2 way and 4 way systems or even more. The problem is whether Apple will follow through and who its going to get a motherboard and support chips capable of allowing a 4 way system to fully utilize. Apple should just dump Motorola completely and go with IBM since they actually have a decent chip and experience with SMP.
IBM has stated it to SMP-capable and apparently designed for 2 way and 4 way systems or even more. The problem is whether Apple will follow through and who its going to get a motherboard and support chips capable of allowing a 4 way system to fully utilize. Apple should just dump Motorola completely and go with IBM since they actually have a decent chip and experience with SMP.
first apple has to use the chip
see this january's 2003 macworld issue
but it would be nice to have a 970 and multiple 970 machines in the near future
how long will it take apple to hit the 2 ghz benchmark?
see this january's 2003 macworld issue
but it would be nice to have a 970 and multiple 970 machines in the near future
how long will it take apple to hit the 2 ghz benchmark?
Apple's Usage
Apple will use the PPC 970. It has Altivec, and IBM is keeping an absolute veil of secrecy over whose using it. And Apple is not delusional that Motorola is going to supply it with the G5 or anything close. Apple will break the ghz with a single processor probably about 6 monthes after the intial release of the PPC 970 or the first revision, whichever comes first.
Apple will use the PPC 970. It has Altivec, and IBM is keeping an absolute veil of secrecy over whose using it. And Apple is not delusional that Motorola is going to supply it with the G5 or anything close. Apple will break the ghz with a single processor probably about 6 monthes after the intial release of the PPC 970 or the first revision, whichever comes first.
Re: Apple's Usage
the secrecy is an indication that they have big plans for the chip...hopefully for apple
the secrecy is an indication that they have big plans for the chip...hopefully for apple
Re: Re: Apple's Usage
IBM already has announced their internal plans for the chip. The veil of secrecy over whose using the chip is very typical of Apple. Besides, who else is really likely to get it?
Re: Re: Re: Re: Apple's Usage
IBM already announced that they would use it for a line of Linux PPC workstations. However, some other company is using it and its very likely to be Apple.
IBM already announced that they would use it for a line of Linux PPC workstations. However, some other company is using it and its very likely to be Apple.
As far as rumors go, the 970 "coming to a PowerMac near you" is practically a certainty. Quad processors aren't. The big difference between the 970 and its big brother, the Power4, is that the P4 is multi-core, and the 970 is a single. Makes the die smaller, cheaper, more per wafer. If Apple were to even consider a Quad, I'd think they'd just use a Power4 in the High-end Macs. Very unlikely.
If they were gonna make a Quad Mac, now would be the time, not later.
I just hope the 970 comes out soon, my duallie Mystic is starting to show its age and needs replacing.
Zack
If they were gonna make a Quad Mac, now would be the time, not later.
I just hope the 970 comes out soon, my duallie Mystic is starting to show its age and needs replacing.
Zack
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They wouldn't use a double-core Power4. One, Power4's are about as expensive as a current top-of-the-line G4 per chip. Even 2 would be very expsenive. Making a quad PPC 970 configuration is likely to be cheaper. Also, an updated Power4 will likely be released by then which probably makes for an even more expensive chip. There's also the fact that the PPC 970 is in some ways superior to the Power4. The Power4 chip is designed with extreme reliability in mind. Unless you're running a high-end server, you will not need that kind of reliability. It makes the chips more expensive and slower. Now is not the time, the G4 would suck in quad configurations. Four chips sharing an extremely slow bus with a motherboard that sucks and can't handle DDR RAM fully? I, too, hope that the PPC 970 comes out soon so I can finally buy a new computer.
They wouldn't use a double-core Power4. One, Power4's are about as expensive as a current top-of-the-line G4 per chip. Even 2 would be very expsenive. Making a quad PPC 970 configuration is likely to be cheaper. Also, an updated Power4 will likely be released by then which probably makes for an even more expensive chip. There's also the fact that the PPC 970 is in some ways superior to the Power4. The Power4 chip is designed with extreme reliability in mind. Unless you're running a high-end server, you will not need that kind of reliability. It makes the chips more expensive and slower. Now is not the time, the G4 would suck in quad configurations. Four chips sharing an extremely slow bus with a motherboard that sucks and can't handle DDR RAM fully? I, too, hope that the PPC 970 comes out soon so I can finally buy a new computer.