PowerPC 970 Running at 2.5 GHz

kuwan writes "IBM has just released a press release that indicates they have the new PowerPC 970 running at 1.8 to 2.5 GHz making it 'the fastest PowerPC so far.' IBM's original estimates were to have the chip running at 1.4 to 1.8 GHz at introduction, so this is very good news for those of us hoping Apple will use this as their next-generation chip."

Comments

Digital Lifestyle

[anaesthetica]

"It is ideal for very computing intensive applications, for example in the area of simulation like meterology or geological calculations."

Along with the rollout of the 970 chip, Apple will introduce two new insanely great iLife Apps: iWeather and iEarth. Now you can calculate weather patterns in your neighborhood and export the results to iMovie! Also, use iEarth's predictive powers in landscaping your front yard, planning your garden, and preventing cracks in your house's foundation.

Perfect for your digital lifestyle.

Eat that Miscrosoft!

Re:Digital Lifestyle

[questionlp]

Okay... I've got karma to burn...

Microsoft, after several delays, releases Hailstorm XP and Terra XP for their latest operating system, Longhorn. The release announcement was done with Steve Ballmer running around the stage at TechEd 2004 screaming, "Call me daddy! I own the Earth!" Later, Bill Gates corrects Ballmer by saying, "Sorry Steve, I own the Earth!" Reports have been coming in that Scott McNealy of Sun, Larry Ellison of Oracle, and Richard Stallman of FSF all huddled up and crying.

Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, Earth blue-screened and permanently enabled copy-protection on every living person until each person forks over their soul along with $5000 per year for life support.

Hopefully

[cosmo7]

~Perhaps this will lead to some sort of debate regarding the virtues of Macs compared with PCs, something so rarely discussed on SlashDot.

PC == Personal Computer || Wintel architecture?

[Anonymous Coward]

if (PC == "Personal Computer")
printf("Why do we say Mac vs PC?\n");
else if (PC == "Wintel architecture")
printf("Why confuse people with something called 'PowerPC'?\n");
else
printf("WTF?");

Easy

[sydlexic]

I wonder how they managed to up the clock so dramatically?

Xeon + hobby paint.

Re:Easy

[Tumbleweed]

Xeon + hobby paint.

No way, man, VTEC stickers! :)

Re:Chip speed won't save Apple

[damiam]

They're over and done with, and have been, for nearly half a decade now.

And they will continue to be over and done with for several more decades, while still turning out incredible computers.

Re:misinformation

[joe_bruin]

the 970 achieves 64bit performance by having 4 on-die 16bit 68040 cpu's and doing hardware instruction translation (in realtime) from ppc to 68000.

in a technology leap, this cpu bypasses intel's hyperthreading technology and proceeds directly to 'ludicrous threading'. this technology allows a thread to finish a task before it was even created.

the 970 incorporates hardware acceleration for microsoft's windows media drm technology. Windows Media Player 9 Series(r): If You Struggle It Only Hurts More(tm).

unlike endothermic cpu's commonly manufactured by intel and perfected by amd, the ppc 970 uses exothermic cmos technology. it therefore requires a constant heat source to avoid freezing.

these chips use ibm's patented plutonium-on-silicon manufacturing process, and as such require a license from the nuclear regulatory commission to own.