PowerPC 970
In computing, the PowerPC 970 and the PowerPC 970FX, also known as PowerPC G5, are 64-bit processors in the PowerPC family from IBM, which was introduced in 2002. The PowerPC 970 is built using a 130nm manufacturing process, and the PowerPC 970FX is built using a 90nm fabrication process. They both feature over 58 million transistors. They are based on the core from IBM's Power4 processor, and feature IBM's VMX vector engine. Additionally, they are able to process 32-bit instructions natively.
In keeping with its previous naming conventions, Apple Computer termed the PowerPC 970 the G5 in an announcement in June, 2003. The term G5 in this context stands for the fifth generation of PowerPC microprocessors. Since then, the PowerPC 970FX has replaced the PowerPC 970 in all of Apple's G5 computers. Apple's professional desktop machine, the Power Mac G5, uses either dual 1.8, dual 2.0 or dual 2.5 GHz G5 processors. Apple's Xserve server machines, use either single or dual 2.0 GHz G5 processors. The consumer line, the iMac, uses either a single 1.6GHz processor or a single 1.8GHz processor.
The chip may also be used in next generation games console such as the Xbox 2 and the successor to the GameCube. IBM is currently developing the 970MP, which is due out in the 3rd quarter of 2005, and is code-named "Antares". The PowerPC 970MP is said to be a dual-core processor that can scale up to 3.5GHz. This chip should start at 90nm and then graduated to the 65nm process.
