IBM PPC 970 to hit 2.5ghz

[Hattig]

In fact, as the 970 is a 130nm CPU, the die size is pretty small. The development costs were quite low as IBM utilises a lot of generation tools, and this CPU is basically a cut-down POWER4 server processor. So the cost will be low to start off with, even with SOI wafers, as long as IBM have a reasonable yield.

[Hattig]

I wish that Amiga.org would keep me logged in

there's still a lot of real estate open on that die

Yes, IBM use a lot of automation in their design - the IBM 970 is not an efficient processor at all, but on the other hand, IBM didn't spend $2B and 10 years designing it.

isn't the XE using the same processor hookup as Apple

Yes, but that is for G3 and G4, not for the 970 - Apple will need a new system controller for the 970, as the interconnect is completely different.