Apple and IBM Introduce the PowerPC G5 Processor

WWDC 2003, San Francisco—June 23, 2003—Apple® and IBM together today introduced the world’s first 64-bit desktop processor—the PowerPC G5. Based on IBM’s industry leading POWER architecture, the new PowerPC G5 processor has been optimized for personal computers and is at the heart of Apple’s newly announced Power Mac® G5, the world’s fastest desktop computer.

“The PowerPC G5 changes all the rules. This 64-bit race car is the heart of our new Power Mac G5, now the world’s fastest desktop computer,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “IBM offers the most advanced processor design and manufacturing expertise on earth, and this is just the beginning of a long and productive relationship.”

“Apple and IBM have been working together for over a decade. With the development of the PowerPC G5 we’ve entered into a much deeper partnership, and Apple now has access to a vast portfolio of IBM’s advanced technologies used in our high-performance servers and supercomputers,” said John Kelly, senior vice president and group executive, IBM Technology Group. “The Power Mac G5 is the result of Apple’s leadership in innovation coupled with IBM’s unrivaled processor technology. It is also a preview of the type of technology innovation that our deeper partnership will continue to deliver to customers in the future.”

The PowerPC G5 represents a breakthrough in microprocessor performance. Made possible by IBM’s industry-leading, state-of-the-art process technology, the PowerPC G5 provides creative professionals with unrivaled 64-bit compute power, while also running 32-bit applications natively. The PowerPC G5 runs at clock speeds up to 2 GHz and can virtually address a mind boggling 18 exabytes (18 billion billion bytes) of memory. The next generation PowerPC architecture is based on a completely new execution core that features massively parallel computation for an unprecedented 215 in-flight instructions, full symmetric multi-processing, two double precision floating point units and an optimized Velocity Engine™.

IBM builds the PowerPC G5 in its new state-of-the-art, $3 billion 300mm fabrication facility in East Fishkill, N.Y., using industry leading manufacturing technologies. IBM packs performance and new features into this processor using ultra-thin 130 nanometer circuitry (nearly 800 times thinner than a human hair). The PowerPC G5 has 1,131 feet of copper interconnects and 58 million transistors based on IBM’s efficient silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology.

The PowerPC G5 processor incorporates an innovative 1 GHz processor interface to speed information to the G5 system controller. This interface, which can deliver unprecedented bandwidth to the processor at up to 8 GBps—fast enough to deliver a typical full-length motion picture in less than one second. While supporting 64-bit computing for emerging applications, the PowerPC G5 architecture also provides seamless support for existing 32-bit applications. The G5 system controller was designed by Apple, and is among the fastest application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) in the industry. Specifically designed for optimum system integration, the G5 system controller boasts an industry leading point-to-point architecture for maximum bandwidth throughout the system. It has a number of very high performance interfaces—a processor interface at 1 GHz, a 128-bit DDR memory interface running at 400 MHz, a HyperTransport interface running at 800 MHz, and an AGP 8X Pro graphics interface.

IBM is a recognized innovator in the chip industry, having been first with advances like more power-efficient copper wiring in place of aluminum, faster silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and silicon germanium transistors, and improved low-k dielectric insulation between chip wires. These and other innovations have contributed to IBM's standing as the number one U.S. patent holder for 10 consecutive years. More information about IBM Microelectronics can be found at: www.ibm.com/chips.

IBM Microelectronics is a key contributor to IBM’s role as the world's premier information technology supplier. It develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art semiconductor and interconnect technologies, products and services. IBM Microelectronics activities are focused in three major areas: custom ASIC chips, PowerPC-based standard chip products, and high-tech foundry services. Its superior integrated solutions can be found in many of the world's best-known electronic brands.

Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Power Mac and Velocity Engine are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.