IBM PPC 970 to hit 2.5ghz

[Psy]

In a IBM press release  for their PPC blade.  IBM states the 970 will range from 1.8 GHz to 2.5 Ghz

So anyway Amiga users can run Amiga OS with 2.5 Ghz 970s under the hood before Apple starts selling 4GHZ macs?

[Psy]

Atheist wrote:

Part of "IBM eServer BladeCenter", translation: =$1300+ US for 1 CPU!!!
 

Yes IBM is getting their CPU first for their stuff but once  IBM puts the 970s into mass producion and Apple launches new high end macs with the 970s the price of the CPU should not be any higher then current PPC processors.

[Psy]

Hattig wrote:
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.

Wow, Apple's prayers have been answered.  Not only is IBM giving them the raw power Motorola couldn't (thus makes the current line up of high end Macs look not so high end) but if IBM can cut the cost then Apple can lower its prices according without eating into profit per sale and increasing overal profits with more sales.

[Psy]

strobe wrote:

CPU prices were never a major factor in cost.

Right but before Apple couldn't drop its prices becouse there was nothing to replace the aging duel 1.42 Power Macs.  With the 970s Apple can sell single 2.5GHZ Power Macs forabout  the same price if they wanted to and that would stop Apple's marketshare from shrinking as there will be a decent value for Macs again.

Plus Apple can sell duel 2.5Ghz to really show off.

[Psy]

BlackMonk wrote:

Aging?  The dual 1.42 GHz PowerMacs only just came out like a month ago.  I'm not even sure if they are shipping yet.  Apple has been keeping up a 3-tiered pricepoint on their desktop "pro" line for a while.  I'd say even since the 7x00/8x00/9x00 days.  The new PPC970 systems would either displace all the G4 desktops or would be situated at the top prices, so around $3500 for the top of the line model.

Yhea but the dual 1.42 PowerMacs were not that top of the line when they came out.  Apple for some time has had a performance gap.  The 970 will hopefully close the gap and bring much need value to the PowerMacs.