PowerPC G5 Processor, Apple and IBM Partnership

Technology Overview

Xserve G5

PowerPC G5 Processor

32-bit processing

Postcard =

24 in.2 (155 cm2)

64-bit processing

Manhattan =

22 mi.2 (57 km2)

4.3 billion times bigger

To grasp the enormous leap from 32-bit to 64-bit processing, imagine equating the range of numbers a processor can express with a two-dimensional area. A 32-bit processor can express a range of integers equal to the size of a postcard, while a 64-bit processor can express a range of integers larger than the island of Manhattan.

The breakthrough performance of the 64-bit PowerPC G5 is now available to Apple server customers. With 64-bit-wide data paths and registers, this revolutionary pro- cessor can address vast amounts of main memory, while handling multiple 64-bit integer and double-precision floating-point math calculations in a single pass. Its wide execution core manages immense operations in parallel, supporting up to 215 in-flight instructions.

Apple and IBM Partnership

The PowerPC G5 is the product of a long-standing partnership between Apple and IBM, two companies committed to innovation and customer-driven solutions. In 1991, they co-created a PowerPC architecture that could support both 32-bit and 64-bit instructions. Leveraging this design, Apple went on to bring 32-bit RISC processing to desktop and portable computers, while IBM focused on developing 64-bit processors for enterprise servers. The new PowerPC G5 represents a convergence of these efforts: Its design is based on the PowerPC instruction set, as well as the POWER Architecture that drives IBM’s top-of-the-line enterprise servers.

The PowerPC G5 is fabricated in IBM’s new $3 billion, state-of-the-art facility in East Fishkill, New York. To get electronics so small requires miniaturization breakthroughs, and IBM’s dedication to scientific research has made these advances possible. With industry-leading build, assembly, and test technology, IBM uses a 90-nanometer process to produce the PowerPC G5. More than 58 million silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors and eight layers of copper interconnects enable this new processor to deliver tremendous performance. The use of these advanced technologies also means the PowerPC G5 draws less power and produces less heat—allowing Apple to pack two 64-bit 2GHz processors in a 1U form factor.

64-Bit Computing Power

The labels “32-bit” and “64-bit” characterize the width of a microprocessor’s data stream, which is a function of the sizes of its registers and the internal data paths that feed the registers. A 64-bit processor moves data and instructions along 64-bit- wide data paths—compared with the 32-bit-wide paths on 32-bit processors, such as the Pentium 4 and Xeon. In addition, 64-bit processors have wide registers that can store 64-bit numbers as well as 32-bit numbers.

The leap from 32-bit to 64-bit processing represents an exponential advance in computing power. With 32-bit registers, a processor has a dynamic range of 232, or

4.3billion—which means it can express integers from 0 to 4.3 billion. With 64-bit registers, the dynamic range catapults to 264, or 18 billion billion—4.3 billion times larger than the range of a 32-bit processor.

Xserve G5 specifications

The Apple Xserve G5 was a powerful rack-mounted server that was introduced by Apple in 2004. Built on the robust PowerPC architecture, it marked a significant entry into the enterprise server market for the company, reflecting its commitment to high-performance computing and advanced technology solutions.

One of the main features of the Xserve G5 was its dual dual-core PowerPC G5 processors, which allowed for exceptional computation performance. This configuration enabled up to 8 processing cores in a single server unit, significantly enhancing multitasking capabilities and making it suitable for high-demand applications. With support for up to 16GB of DDR SDRAM, the server ensured ample memory for intensive operations and large-scale data processing tasks.

In terms of storage, the Xserve G5 featured a versatile design that supported up to four hot-swappable Serial ATA (SATA) drive bays. This capability enabled users to easily replace or upgrade hard drives without downtime, which is crucial in enterprise environments. The server also supported RAID configurations, offering options for increased reliability and data redundancy.

Networking capabilities were another highlight of the Xserve G5. It came equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing robust network throughput and redundancy. This feature was particularly valuable for mission-critical applications where uptime and performance were essential. Additionally, the Xserve G5 was compatible with various networking protocols and featured built-in support for Active Directory, simplifying integration into existing IT infrastructures.

The operating system of choice for the Xserve G5 was Mac OS X Server, which offered a user-friendly interface along with powerful server management tools. The software provided a wide range of services, including file sharing, web hosting, and email services, tailored for small to medium enterprises and education institutions.

For those seeking expandability, the Xserve G5 boasted a PCI-X expansion slot, allowing users to add various hardware components such as additional network interfaces or specialized processing cards.

In terms of its physical design, the Xserve G5 had a sleek, 1U form factor, making it easy to integrate into existing server racks while maintaining a modern aesthetic. The efficient cooling system was designed to keep the unit running optimally, ensuring reliability during extended periods of use.

In conclusion, the Apple Xserve G5 represented a significant advance in server technology with its powerful dual G5 processors, ample memory and storage options, and robust networking capabilities. Its combination of performance and user-friendly Mac OS X Server made it a notable choice for organizations seeking reliable computing solutions in the mid-2000s.