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clarkgoble · May 14, 2002, 06:07 PM

I notice that Apple's new rack server uses the Motorola G4's. To be honest given that the servers are largely headless, I was thinking that perhaps they'd adopt some of IBM's chips. While I can understand the initial use of G4's, I wonder what Apple's connection to IBM will.

Over at OSOpinion they had an interesting article on the IBM chips.

Basically IBM has made some big advances into keeping the power down. For a server, this can be a big deal. (More chips, closer together -- less of a heat problem) IBM already uses the .13 micron process which Motorola is only switching to with the (again delayed) G5. While Motorola says it'll pass 2 GHz this year, their track record for predictions hasn't exactly inspired a lot of faith. IBM may actually be able to produce faster chips before Motorola. Yeah they are more akin to the G3, which Apple seems to be moving away from. But other than Altivect, what does Motorola really bring to the table?

Any thoughts? While I suspect Pixar and some application servers may use the Altivect a lot, I wonder how many typical server applications would benefit from it that much?

gumby5647 · May 14, 2002, 07:47 PM

2 of the 4 Xserve target market:
*Video
*Biotech

Two huge implementers (sp?) of Altivec.

jguidroz · May 14, 2002, 07:55 PM

Also, with a G3, you can't run multiprocessors. They weren't designed for that. Besides Altivec, the G4 was designed to be able to be run in multiprocessor configurations, hence the reason why Apple goes with the G4.

Targon · May 15, 2002, 02:37 AM

Originally posted by jguidroz:
<STRONG>Also, with a G3, you can't run multiprocessors. They weren't designed for that. Besides Altivec, the G4 was designed to be able to be run in multiprocessor configurations, hence the reason why Apple goes with the G4.</STRONG>

Hmm i thought it was only SMP the G3 was incapable of?

cube-dude · May 15, 2002, 08:26 AM

You may find this thread alive and well in the new forum, Servers - OS X & Xserve, based on feedback from mods and members. Thanks.

We're keeping the Power Mac forum strictly for Power Mac G3/G4 discussion and support (and speculation about the G5, of course).

clarkgoble · May 15, 2002, 03:13 PM

I wasn't suggesting current G3's for servers. Rather that IBM could develop a server oriented PowerPC chip without infringing on Motorola patents. Some IBM Power chips do SMP, don't they? I tried to downloard their PDF's on the subject but kept crashing my browser for some reason and I was too lazy to reboot.

As for the guy who mentioned the two big server markets: rendering and bioteck. Yeah, I can see that. However for disk servering and Enterprise applications fast general CPU and fast bandwidth counts more. The later SCSI coming out will do a lot of bandwidth, although the internal system might have problems. Yet I can't help but wonder what the next generation Mac server might look like.

As I said, as lot of the GUI issues are less significant since these servers are designed for remote control. So all that OSX GUI slowdown won't be present. And lets be honest, that enables IBM to possibly supply chips better than Motorola.

Secret Vampire · May 15, 2002, 04:25 PM

Currently IBMs Power4 chips are geared towards large smp setups, however this comes at a somewhat large price compared to the G4.

Persoanlly I'd stick with G4 for this kind of hardware, I'm not sure to what degree the power4 and G4 are compatible, but there's a potential for performance loss on G4 optimised software, and the cost would make Apples server box less appealing without offering much advantage save larger caches.