New PowerPC 970FX, 24.5 Watts at 2GHz.

[minator]

Those are typical power usage. Intel and AMD use TDP- Therman Design Power. The absolute maximum power they can draw.

No, TDP and absolute maximum are two diferent figures, the absolute maximum is usually quite a bit (up to 30 Watts) higher and is virtually impossible to find, at least from Intel.  Absolute maximum is a theoritical figure which may be impossible to reach in any case.

They all quote some form of average figure.

[Melaure]

The PowerPC is regaining its normal rank in the processors war.  Motorola era is ending and IBM make what should have been doon years ago ...

Hope the Amiga platform will benefit of this work.

[VidarL]

No, TDP and absolute maximum are two diferent figures, the absolute maximum is usually quite a bit (up to 30 Watts) higher and is virtually impossible to find, at least from Intel. Absolute maximum is a theoritical figure which may be impossible to reach in any case.

They all quote some form of average figure.

Sorry, but you are wrong.

Intel and AMD have a different definition of TDP IIRC, as Intel quotes the maximum power usage when using a power virus, while AMD is quoting the maximum power the CPU can theoretically consume:

Thermal Design Power (TDP) is measured under the conditions of TCASE Max, IDD Max, and VDD=VID_VDD,
and include all power dissipated on-die from VDD, VDDIO, VLDT, VTT, and VDDA.

[DanDude]

DAMN!!!

This IS serious news between IBM and Intel.  Now I KNOW what I want for my next 'puter!   :-D

Intel's power consumption scares me.  Now you'll need a freakin liquid-coolant system just to keep your egg-cooking platter's temp. down.  :-P

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Is it a military grade CPU? ;-)

[minator]

Intel and AMD have a different definition of TDP IIRC, as Intel quotes the maximum power usage when using a power virus,

Not according to Intel...

Thermal Design Power, Ptdp
Maximum sustained power, across a set of realistic applications, drawn under normal operating conditions, nominal Vcc and realistic ambient (use) temperature.

Maximum Power, Pmax
Maximum power drawn under normal operating conditions, worst case (Vcc,T) corner, executing worst case (synthetic) instruction set.

[VidarL]

Thermal Design Power, Ptdp
Maximum sustained power, across a set of realistic applications, drawn under normal operating conditions, nominal Vcc and realistic ambient (use) temperature.

Ok, so they Intel determine TDP by using a number of applications instead of a power virus. The fact remains that the TDP Intel gives out is MUCH higher than average power consumption. If IBM gave out a TDP number, it would be a lot higher.

Vidar

[Valan]

Note: this is just an idiots suggestion.

Is the power consumption related to the clock speed?
If so then IMHO it would be good if the OS could manage this so that if the user is doing wordprocessing or accessing the www then power and clock speed are kept low but then if more speed  is needed then the power/clockrate can ramp up.

Like I said just an idiots idea


Valan :-)

[minator]

Is the power consumption related to the clock speed?
If so then IMHO it would be good if the OS could manage this so that if the user is doing wordprocessing or accessing the www then power and clock speed are kept low but then if more speed  is needed then the power/clockrate can ramp up.

Like I said just an idiots idea

Must be a lot of idiots working at Intel, AMD and IBM then.
They do exactly what you said...

[whabang]

@Valan
One word:
Speedstep

It's a good idea, however Intel's poor implementation makes the experience less worthwhile.
Never tried AMD's or IBM's versions though...

[yssing]

Why get all that excited, it's never going to get used in amigas anyway. We don't even have a new AmigaOS.


This is great news, less power consumption is really great. Can't wait till I have a superfast very slick and cool amiga laptop..