Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
IBM launches dual-core PowerPC 970 chip
Jul. 08, 2005

IBM has launched a dual-core version of its 64-bit PowerPC 970 (G5) chip at a "Power Everywhere" event in Tokyo. The dual-core 970MP has 1MB of L2 cache for each core, and clocks from 1.4 to 2.5 GHz. IBM additionally announced improved power management for the 970FX.

IBM's "Power Everywhere" events are part of its effort to cultivate an open-source like ecosystem around the Power architecture. The inaugural Power Everywhere event took place on April Fools Day, 2004, where open-source-like licensing terms for the architecture were first revealed.

970MP

IBM describes its PowerPC 970MP as a dual-core version of the 970FX or "G5" chip used in current Apple Macintosh desktop and server systems. It says the dual-core, 64-bit, SMP-capable chip offers low-cost, high-performance, and a small package. The 970MP will be available at clock speeds from 1.4 to 2.5GHz, and will target entry-level servers and embedded applications such as HPC (high-performance computing) clusters, high-density computing, storage, SBCs (single-board computers) and high-performance networking applications.

According to IBM, each of the 970MP's cores has 1MB of dedicated L2 cache, said to result in performance that more than doubles that of the 970FX. The new chip supports frequency and voltage scaling of both cores, and the second core can be placed in a doze state or completely powered down if desired.

An eWEEK story last month said Apple will adopt the 970MP in future Power Macintosh computers, pending its transition to the Intel architecture.

970FX low-power extensions

The 970FX is built on 90nm process technology, and was previously considered the fastest available PowerPC chip. Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced last month that Apple would switch to Intel, citing Intel's stronger processor roadmap and processing power-per-Watt. However, embedded Linux vendors were quick to line up behind the 970FX when it began sampling last fall. Vendors supporting the chip include TimeSys, LynuxWorks, and Wind River.

At its Power Everywhere event in Tokyo this week, IBM announced new low-power extensions to the PowerPC 970FX, targeting clients who want an SMP-capable 64-bit chip with a sub-20 Watt power envelope. Power draw for a 1.4GHz part is claimed to be 13W, while a 1.6GHz part draws 16W under typical workloads. The chips target imaging and networking, among other embedded applications.

The 970FX is available at clock speeds up to 2.7GHz. It has a 512KB L2 cache, native 64-bit and 32-bit application compatibility, and a high bandwidth processor bus capable of delivering a claimed 7.1 GB/s to keep the processor core and the SIMD/Vector engine fed with data.

IBM says the 970FX's processor core can dispatch five instructions per cycle, and issue one instruction per cycle to each of its ten execution units, including two fixed point, two floating point, two load store, two vector and two system units. The L1 instruction cache holds 64 KB, the L1 data cache holds 32 KB.

New Power.org members

At its Power Everywhere event in Tokyo, IBM also announced new Power.org members that include:
  • Denali Software -- An EDA and IP product vendor for design, integration and verification of standard interfaces

  • HCL Technologies -- A global IT and engineering services provider

  • Xilinx -- A vendor of advanced integrated circuits, software design tools, and intellectual property

Additional details about the Power ecosystem can be found at the Open Power Project website, where developers can sign up for shell accounts on IBM PowerPC servers.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• First ALP Linux smartphone?
• First Atom-based nano-ITX board?
• New kernel boosts embedded
• First dual-monitor LTSP 5 set-up?
• Understanding Unix spells and curses
• Tools vendor touts low-cost Linux BSPs
• Debugger supports multi-core MIP64 chips
• Webinars tackle VxWorks-to-Linux ports
• Twin POS systems for Linux
• Mobile Firefox ready for download
• Miguel de Icaza on Mono 2.0
• Embedded Linux declining?
• Mobile WiMAX service launches in U.S.
• Euro Linux device conference announces speakers
• POS stack targets Linux netbooks


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Mandriva 2009 debuts with KDE 4 desktop
• Debian Sid-based distro reviewed
• Miguel de Icaza on Mono 2.0
• RIP LinuxWorld
• Testers sought for Blackberry-Linux sync software
• Google updates photo editor for Linux
• Major Mono rev ships
• Intrepid Ibex beta-tests
• Linux netbook returns higher?
• Open-source image editing project launches


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.