PowerPC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Derek B. Noonburg
Last-modified: 17-December-95
========================================================================
PowerPC FAQ
17 December 1995
========================================================================
The PowerPC FAQ is maintained by Derek Noonburg (der...@ece.cmu.edu).
Please send me any and all additions, corrections, clarfications, and
suggestions.
# An HTML version of this FAQ is now available on the World Wide Web
# <URL:http://www.mot.com/SPS/PowerPC/library/ppc_faq/ppc_faq.html>.
Changes since last version (24-September-95):
* added: 2-4
* changed: 1-5, 1-6, 3-1, 3-3, 3-6, 3-8, 3-9, 3-12, 4-1
* moved:
This document uses uniform resource locators (URLs) to refer to net
resources. For more information, see the World Wide Web (WWW) FAQ. In
general, for a URL of the form:
<URL:ftp://foo.bar.com/someDirectory/someFile>
you should anonymous ftp to foo.bar.com, cd into someDirectory, and get
someFile. For a URL of the form:
<URL:gopher://foo.bar.com/path>
you should gopher to foo.bar.com, and follow the path. URLs of the form:
<URL:http://foo.bar.com/path>
indicate a hypertext document, which require a WWW viewer (such as
Mosaic) to read.
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Index
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[1] Introduction
[1-1] Where can a current copy of this FAQ be obtained?
[1-2] Can I convert this FAQ to a different format and/or
redistribute it?
[1-3] What newsgroups are appropriate for PowerPC discussions?
[1-4] What other FAQs contain PowerPC information?
[1-5] What other net sources (ftp, gopher, etc.) contain PowerPC
information?
[1-6] Bibliography: where can I get more information on the PowerPC?
[1-7] Contributors.
[2] Processor
[2-1] What is a PowerPC?
[2-2] How does PowerPC relate to POWER and POWER2?
[2-3] What processors have been announced? What are their specs?
When will they be available?
[2-4] What processors have been announced by companies other than
IBM and Motorola?
[2-5] What embedded controllers will be available?
[2-6] How fast is a PowerPC?
[2-7] Is there special hardware for emulating 68k or x86 processors?
[2-8] What is the PowerPC 615?
[3] Hardware
[3-1] What PowerPC-based workstations are/will be available? When
will they be available? How much will they cost?
[3-2] What PowerPC-based PReP-compliant (IBM-compatible) personal
computers are/will be available? When will they be available?
How much will they cost?
[3-3] What PowerPC-based Apple (and compatible) personal computers
are/will be available? When will they be available? How much
will they cost?
[3-4] What PowerPC-based controllers are/will be available? When
will they be available? How much will they cost?
[3-5] What PowerPC-based supercomputers and parallel processors
are/will be available? When will they be available? How much
will they cost?
[3-6] What other PowerPC-based systems are/will be available? When
will they be available? How much will they cost?
[3-7] What is PReP and how can I get a copy?
[3-8] What is the Common Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP)?
[3-9] Can PowerPC 601-based computers be upgraded to, e.g., a 604
when they become available?
[3-10] Where can I get the specifications for the PCI bus?
[3-11] Can I used any old PCI card in my PowerMac/PReP/etc.?
[3-12] What is FireWire?
[4] Software
[4-1] What operating systems will run on PowerPC-based computers?
When will they be available?
[4-2] What is PowerOpen?
[4-3] What is Taligent / Pink?
[4-4] Will NeXTStep be ported to the PowerPC?
[4-5] What is WorkplaceOS? Will OS/2 be available on PowerPC-based
computers?
[4-6] Can IBM-PC / Macintosh software be run on PowerPC-based
computers?
[5] Comparisons
[5-1] Should I buy a PowerPC system rather than a Pentium or 68k
system?
[5-2] What will be the differences between the various PowerPC-based
personal computers?
[6] Miscellaneous
[6-1] What's the deal with Ford and the PowerPC?
[6-2] What's the deal with 3DO and the PowerPC?
========================================================================
[1] Introduction
========================================================================
[1-1] Where can a current copy of this FAQ be obtained?
This FAQ is posted monthly on comp.sys.powerpc, comp.answers, and
news.answers. The hypertext (HTML) version is available on the Motorola
World Wide Web server
<URL:http://www.mot.com/SPS/PowerPC/library/ppc_faq/ppc_faq.html>. The
text version is available from the news.answers archives via anonymous
ftp <URL:ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/powerpc-faq>. This
can also be obtained by sending email to
mail-...@BLOOM-PICAYUNE.MIT.EDU with the body
send usenet/news.answers/powerpc-faq
For other archive sites, see the "news.answers Introduction" post.
[1-2] Can I convert this FAQ to a different format and/or redistribute
it?
This FAQ may be redistributed as long as the following guidelines are
met:
* You notify me by email that you are redistributing the FAQ.
* The attribution notice ("The PowerPC FAQ is maintained by ...") is
left intact.
* The instructions for obtaining current copies of the FAQ (Question
1-1) are left intact.
* You use the latest version of the FAQ you can get.
* Any modifications (other than formatting) that you make are clearly
marked as such.
If you convert the FAQ to a different format, please email me a copy. If
it is impossible to email it, contact me for other arrangements.
If you are redistributing the FAQ and would like to get an up-to-date
copy each month via email, let me know, and I will add you to my mailing
list. Please specify text, HTML, or both.
[1-3] What newsgroups are appropriate for PowerPC discussions?
Comp.sys.powerpc is the primary newsgroup for PowerPC discussion. From
the charter: "comp.sys.powerpc (unmoderated) will be a newsgroup which
will provide a common forum to users and developers of products based on
the PowerPC architecture."
There are now three new groups: comp.sys.powerpc.advocacy,
comp.sys.powerpc.misc, and comp.sys.powerpc.tech.
The comp.sys.mac.* groups are appropriate for discussions of
PowerPC-based Macintoshes.
[1-4] What other FAQs contain PowerPC information?
The Macintosh PowerPC FAQ has been discontinued.
Robert Boys maintains two FAQs of interest to comp.sys.powerpc readers.
The comp.sys.m68k FAQ contains some information on the PowerPC,
including the PowerPC embedded controllers. It is posted to
comp.sys.m68k, comp.answers, and news.answers, and is available via ftp
<URL:ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/motorola/68k-chips-faq>
and on the WWW
<URL:http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu:/text/faq/usenet/motorola/68k-chips-faq/faq.html>.
The comp.arch.bus.vmebus FAQ, posted to comp.arch.bus.vmebus, contains
information on PowerPC-based VME cards.
The Linux/PowerPC FAQ is available via ftp
<URL:ftp://liber.stanford.edu/pub/linuxppc/linux-ppc-FAQ> and on the WWW
<URL:http://liber.stanford.edu/linuxppc/linux-ppc-FAQ.html>.
[1-5] What other net sources (ftp, gopher, etc.) contain PowerPC
information?
Apple:
* Apple Computer home page. <URL:http://www.apple.com/>
* The Apple Support and Information Web.
<URL:http://www.info.apple.com/>
* Macintosh Application Environment. <URL:http://www.mae.apple.com/>
* CHRP / PPCP. <URL:http://chrp.apple.com/>
* Press releases and product information.
<URL:gopher://info.hed.apple.com/>
* A list of companies and products
<URL:gopher://ocf.berkeley.edu/hh/gopherspace/Computer/Systems/Macintosh/PowerMac_Products>
supporting the Power Macintosh. (This is currently out of date --
anyone interested in taking over should contact Alan Coopersmith
(al...@ocf.berkeley.edu).)
Apple clones, upgrades, and software:
* Power Computing <URL:http://www.powercc.com/> is the first company
to obtain a license to build Macintosh clones.
* Daystar Digital <URL:http://www.daystar.com/> makes Macintosh clones
and upgrade boards.
* Radius <URL:http://www.radius.com/> makes Macintosh clones.
* Tenon Intersystems <URL:http://www.tenon.com/> sells the MachTen
UNIX implementation.
* Connectix <URL:http://www.connectix.com/> sells the SpeedDoubler
software.
IBM:
* IBM home page <URL:http://www.ibm.com/>: Press releases and product
information (with lots of flashy graphics).
* Austin WWW server <URL:http://www.austin.ibm.com/>: Technical and
product information on the PowerPC and the RS/6000 line.
* PowerPC page <URL:http://www.chips.ibm.com:80/products/ppc/>:
PowerPC info from IBM Microelectronics; includes a complete list of
PowerPC manuals and other documentation.
* The IBM POWER Parallel Systems WWW server
<URL:http://ibm.tc.cornell.edu/>.
* IBM gopher <URL:gopher://top.gopher.ibm.com/>
* Another gopher <URL:gopher://gopher.ibmlink.ibm.com/>: Press
releases and the "IBM Announces" newsletter.
* Another gopher <URL:gopher://ike.engr.washington.edu/>: Press
releases and product information.
Motorola:
* Motorola PowerPC Customer Support and Information
<URL:http://www.mot.com/PowerPC>.
* Motorola PowerPC FTP site <URL:ftp://www.mot.com/pub/SPS/PowerPC/>:
lots of PDF and PostScript documents
* Motorola home page <URL:http://www.mot.com/>.
Other companies with PReP-compliant systems:
* Austin <URL:http://www.ipctechinc.com/Austin/home.html> resells
FirePower systems.
Taligent:
* Taligent home page <URL:http://www.taligent.com/>: Overview of
company objectives, products, etc.
Other companies:
* The PowerOpen Association home page. <URL:http://www.poweropen.org/>
* Parsytec home page. <URL:http://www.parsytec.de/>
* Micro Technology Services, Inc. <URL:http://mtsi.ncc.com/mtsi> is a
consulting/engineering firm which is an authorized Motorola System
Integrator.
* OSE Delta <URL:http://www.enea.se/ose/index.html>.
* Be, Inc. <URL:http://www.be.com/> home page.
* Exponential Technology, Inc. <URL:http://www.exp.com/>
Miscellaneous:
* The PowerPC News <URL:http://power.globalnews.com/ppchome.htm> is an
Internet-based free magazine, publishing news for both users and
developers of PowerPC systems. To subscribe, send email to
a...@power.globalnews.com (no subject or body necessary). A table of
contents will be sent to you for each issue; you can request
specific articles via a mail server. Current and back issues are
also available at the WWW site.
* There are two PowerPC roundtables on GEnie: PowerPC (PPC) on page
1435 and PowerPC programmers' on page 1440.
* There are PowerPC and Macintosh Hardware forums on CompuServe.
* There is a Power Macintosh Forum on America Online (part of the Mac
Hardware Forum).
* There is a PowerPC echo (Area: POWERPC) on Fidonet for discussions
about "PowerPC hardware, software issues, availablity, RISC
technology, developers, and more. Covers both PC and Mac versions."
[1-6] Bibliography: where can I get more information on the PowerPC?
Manuals and databooks:
* Motorola publishes several brochures and manuals (free unless price
is specified):
* PowerPC Brochure (BR1135/D)
* PowerPC Software Overview (compilers, assemblers, simulators,
loaders & debuggers) (SDP/D)
* PowerPC C Compiler System, Product Review (CCOMPSTM/D)
* PowerPC Fortran compilation System, Product Review
(FTRANCOMPSTM/D)
* PowerPC Architectural Simulator, Product Review (PPCARCH32/D)
* PowerPC Microprocessor Family: The Programming Environments
(MPCFPE/AD) -- $3.70
* PowerPC 601 RISC Microprocessor Technical Summary (MPC601/D)
* PowerPC 601, User's Manual (MPC601UM/AD) -- $6.50
* PowerPC 601 Hardware Specification (MPC601EC/D)
* PowerPC 601 Programmer's Reference Guide (MPC601PRG/D) (I've
heard reports that this is no longer available.)
* PowerPC Development Tools Catalog (MPCTOOLBK/AD) -- $4.50
* PowerPC 603 RISC Microprocessor Technical Summary (MPC603/D)
* PowerPC 603 RISC Microprocessor User's Manual (MPC603UM/AD)
* PowerPC 604 RISC Microprocessor Technical Summary (MPC604/D)
All are available from Motorola's Literature Distribution Centers:
USA
Motorola Literature Distribution
P.O. Box 20912
Phoenix, AZ, 85036
1-800-441-2447
Europe
Motorola Ltd.
European Literature Center
88 Tanners Drive
Blakelands, Milton Keynes, MK14 5BP, England
Japan
Nippon Motorola Ltd.
4-32-1, Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku
Tokyo 141 Japan
Asia-Pacific
Motorola Semiconductors H.K. Ltd.
Silicon Harbour Center
No. 2 Dai King Street
Tai Po Industrial Estate
Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong
* PowerPC manuals and databooks are also available from IBM by calling
1-800-POWERPC.
* A PowerMac-specific manual is available from APDA:
* Programmer's Introduction to RISC and PowerPC (R0172LL/A) --
$150
Books:
# Most of this info has been culled from the net. I haven't actually
# read all of these books. If you've read one of them and are willing to
# write a very short review (5-6 lines), let me know. - Derek
# (der...@ece.cmu.edu)
* Apple, IBM, and Motorola, _PowerPC Microprocessor Common Hardware
Reference Platform: A System Architecture_; 1995; ISBN
1-55860-394-8. [Also available on the WWW from IBM
<URL:http://www.austin.ibm.com/tech/chrp/index.html> and Apple
<URL:http://chrp.apple.com/>.]
\item{Jeff Duntemann and Ron Pronk, _Inside the PowerPC Revolution_;
Coriolis Group Books; April 30, 1994; ISBN 1-883577-04-7; $24.95.
[Not a technical book for programmers. (Surprisingly, it has some
detailed info about microprocessor fabrication and the PowerPC cache
architecture, but doesn't discuss the instruction set or bus). Lots
of interesting stuff about the major industry companies, strategies,
alliances, and gossip. With the benefit of hindsight, we can laugh
at the authors enthusiastic predictions for the IBM PowerPC products
available Real Soon Now. -Hugh....@cs.anu.edu.au]
* Steve Heath, _NEWNES Power PC Programming Pocket Book_;
Butterworth-Heinemann; Nov. 1994; ISBN 0-7506-2111-7; $22.95.
[Similar information to the 601 user's manual.]
* Jim Hoskins, _The Power PC Revolution!_; MaxFacts Special Report
(Maximum Press); Aug., 1994; ISBN 0-9633214-9-8; $26.95.
[Concentrates on the effects the PowerPC will have on business.]
* IBM, _IBM RISC System/6000 Technology_. [Describes the POWER
architecture and the POWER-based RS/6000 workstations.]
* IBM, _PowerPC and POWER2: Technical Aspects of the New IBM Risc
System/6000_; Apr., 1994; IBM book number SA23-2737-00. [Describes
the PowerPC and POWER2 architectures and the workstations based on
these processors, including I/O, graphics, and system software.
(This was _RS/6000 Tech Vol. II_.) Available for around $40 from
IBM: 1-800-879-2755. Selected papers from this book are available
via the WWW <URL:http://www.austin.ibm.com/tech>.]
* IBM, _PowerPC Architecture_; Oct., 1993; IBM book number
SR28-5124-00. [The official manual for the PowerPC architecture.
Three parts: instruction set architecture, virtual environment
architecture, and operating environment architecture.]
* IBM, _The PowerPC Architecture -- A Specification for a New Family
of RISC Processors_; Morgan Kaufmann Publishers; Aug. 1994; ISBN
1-55860-316-6; $54.95. ["This is the official technical description
of the PowerPC architecture and its hardware conventions." Errata
are available via ftp
<URL:ftp://ftp.austin.ibm.com/pub/technology/errata.ps.Z>.]
* Gary Kacmarcik, _Optimizing PowerPC Code: Programming the PowerPC
Chip in Assembly Language_; Addison-Wesley; ISBN 0-201-40839-2. [Not
PowerMac or IBM-specific.]
* Ron Rahmel and Dan Rahmel, _Interfacing to the PowerPC
Microprocessor_; SAMS Publishing; 1995. [Includes info on FireWire,
along with several other buses and interfaces.]
* Stephan Somogyi, _The PowerPC Macintosh Book_; Addison-Wesley;
August 1994; ISBN 0-201-62650-0; $19.95. ["could equally be called
'The story of the Macintoshes RISCy new Insides' ... It manages to
cover the history of the PowerPC alliance, looking at Power Mac
hardware and software, and includes sections on the internals of the
chip itself." -PowerPC News]
* Dan Sydow, _Programming the Power PC_; M&T Books; Aug. 1994; ISBN
1-55851-400-7; $34.94. [Covers 601, 603, 604, as well as x86-to-PPC
migration.]
* Shlomo Weiss and James E Smith, _IBM Power and PowerPC: Architecture
and Implementation_; Morgan Kaufmann Publishers; May 1994; ISBN
1-55860-279-8; $54.95. ["Writtten from the perspective of developers
and teachers of high performance computing, this book provides a
wealth of information about IBM's important contributions to the
development and evolution of RISC technology."]
* Jerry Young, _Insider's Guide to PowerPC Computing_; QUE
Corporation; May 1994; ISBN 1-56529-625-7; $29.99. [Provides
detailed information on the new architecture and its history, from
the early IBM RISC designs. Describes the relationship between the
PowerPC architecture and IBM's POWER architecture, from which it was
developed. Provides description of the characteristics and
advantages of RISC architecture and the special features of the
PowerPC architecture. Includes in-depth descriptions of the 601 and
603 microprocessors and offers an overview of early PowerPC-based
systems.]
* Joe Zobkiw, _A Fragment of Your Imagination_; Addison-Wesley; Aug.,
1995; ISBN 0-201-48358-0; $39.95. [Code Fragments and Code Resources
for Power Macintosh and Macintosh Programmers. WWW
<URL:http://www.triplesoft.com/fragment/>; zob...@triplesoft.com]
* ???, _PowerPC Concepts, Architecture, and Design_; McGraw-Hill;
1994; ISBN 0-07-011192-8; $34.95.
Papers, articles, etc.:
* Michael S. Allen, Michael C. Becker, "Multiprocessing Aspects of the
PowerPC 601 Microprocessor", Proc. COMPCON 1993, 117-126. [A good
introduction to the PowerPC instruction set for the curious or
beginners. ("Reduced" it ain't!) The Motorola manual is a mass of
fine detail to get lost in, but this article gives a nice overview
of how the instructions are organised and formatted.
-Hugh....@cs.anu.edu.au]
* J. Alvarez, et al., "A wide-bandwidth low-voltage PLL for PowerPC
microprocessors", Proc. 1994 IEEE Symposium on VLSI Circuits, 37-38.
* William Anderson, "An overview of Motorola's PowerPC simulator
family", Communications of the ACM, v37 n6, 64-69.
* Michael C. Becker et al., "The PowerPC 601 Microprocessor", IEEE
Micro, Oct. 1993, 54-68.
* J. Bertsch, et al., "Experimental 2.0 V power/performance
optimization of a 3.6 V-design CMOS microprocessor-PowerPC 601",
Proc. 1994 VLSI Technology Symposium, 83-84.
* David Biedny, "PowerPC: the era of RISC begins", Windows Sources, v2
n6 p140(7). [includes related articles on the PowerPC family,
glossary, pros and cons of PowerPC architecture, benchmark tests]
* Brad Burgess, et al., "The PowerPC 603 microprocessor",
Communications of the ACM, v37 n6, June, 1994, 34-42.
* Brad Burgess et al., "The PowerPC 603 Micrporocessor: A High
Performance, Low Power, Superscalar RISC Microprocessor", Proc.
COMPCON 1994, 300-306.
* Dave Bursky, "RISC microcontrollers start with PowerPC roots but
grow in different directions", Electronic Design, v42 n10, 38-39.
[IBM's PowerPC 403GA embedded processor and Motorola's RMCU505
microcontroller.]
* B. Dawson, "PowerPC hits the road", Byte v19 n7, 141-142.
* K. Diefendorff, R. Oehler, R. Hochsprung, "Evolution of the PowerPC
Architecture", IEEE Micro, Apr. 93, 34-49. [Although the authors
intend this to be a guide to the changes from the earlier POWER to
the PowerPC, they end up giving an introduction to the internal
architecture of the PowerPC and instructions, plus the reasons why
many things are as they are-for instance, why the PowerPC has some
user mode cache instructions. -Hugh....@cs.anu.edu.au]
* Keith Diefendorff, "History of the PowerPC architecture",
Communications of the ACM, v37 n6, June, 1994, 28-33.
* Mary Jo Foley, "IBM to push OS/2 for PowerPC over Windows NT, AIX
ports", PC Week, v11 n24, 23.
* Ric Ford, "Hacking PPC Enabler plus other updates", MacWEEK v8 n27,
July 4, 1994, 28.
* S. Glenn, et al., "Functional design verification for the PowerPC
601 microprocessor", Proc. of IEEE VLSI Test Symposium.
* Linley Gwennap, "Prep Standardizes PowerPC Systems", Microprocessor
Report, Dec. 27, 1993.
* Ean Houts, "Lower priced Power Macs offer different strengths",
InfoWorld, v16 n18, May 2, 1994, 128.
* Wayne Huang, et al., "CBGA package design for C4 powerPC
microprocessor chips: trade-off between substrate routability and
performance", Proc. 1994 IEEE 44th Electronic Components &
Technology Conference, 88-93.
* Sara Humphrey, "Inside the PowerPC Revolution", PC Week, v11 n26,
July 4, 1994. [book reviews]
* E. M. Kass, "PowerPC Surprise", InformationWEEK, n474, 12-14.
* Andrew Lawrence, "PowerPC - a new desktop standard?", IBM System
User, v15 n5, May, 1994, 43-44.
* J. Marris, "PowerPC - an analysis", Desktop Publishing Commentary v9
n9, 6-9.
* Charles R. Moore, "The PowerPC 601 Microprocessor", Proc. COMPCON
1993, 109-116.
* Charles R. Moore, et al., "The PowerPC Alliance", Communications of
the ACM, v37 n6, June, 1994, 25-27.
* Richard Nass, "VME boards combine PCI bus and PowerPC CPUs",
Electronic Design, v42 n14, July 11, 1994, 129-131.
* Ali Poursepanj, "The PowerPC; performance modeling methodology",
Communications of the ACM, v37 n6, June, 1994, 47-55.
* Chris Rose, "Abstracting the meat of the PowerPC Reference Platform
beta version - part one", Computergram International, May 27, 1994.
* Chris Rose, "Abstracting the meat of the PowerPC Reference Platform
beta version - part two", Computergram International, June 6, 1994.
* Ryan, Thompson, "PowerPC 604 Weighs In", Byte, June, 1994.
* Larry J. Seltzer, "OS/2 for PowerPC: microkernel for the masses?",
PC Week, v11 n22, June 6, 1994, 81-82.
* Julie Shipnes, et al., "A modular approach to Motorola PowerPC
compilers", Communications of the ACM, v37 n6, June, 1994, 56-63.
* E. Silha, G. Paap, "PowerPC: A Performance Architecture", Proc.
COMPCON 1993, 104-108.
* Michael Slater, "Motorola and IBM Unveil PowerPC 603",
Microprocessor Report, Oct. 25, 1993.
* J. E. Smith, et al., "PowerPC 601 and Alpha 21064: a tale of two
RISCs", Computer, v27 n6, 46-58.
* Brad W. Suessmith, et al., "PowerPC 603 microprocessor; power
management", Communications of the ACM, v37 n6, June, 1994, 43-36.
* Nasr Ullah, et al., "The making of the PowerPC", Communications of
the ACM, v37 n6, June, 1994, 22-23.
* Michael Vizard, "The Tower of PowerPC; Untapped potential in search
of a killer application", PC Week, v11 n24, 22-23.
* "Apple and IBM demonstrate 120-MHz 601" Microprocessor Report, v8
n8, June 20, 1994, 4-5.
* "Floating-point bottleneck", MacWEEK, v8 n21, 44. [comparing
performance of Motorola PowerPC and Intel CPUs]
* "The Making of the PowerPC" (special issue), Communications of the
ACM, June, 1994.
* "Parsytec produces TRAM module that combines PowerPC with T425
transputer for industrial applications", Computergram International,
June 20, 1994.
* PowerPC special issue, IEEE Micro, Oct., 1994.
[1-7] Contributors.
The following people have contributed to this FAQ. (Please do not
contact them with questions about the FAQ.)
* Alan Coopersmith (al...@ocf.Berkeley.EDU)
* Hugh Fisher (Hugh....@cs.anu.edu.au)
* Chris Pepper (pep...@RockVAX.Rockefeller.edu)
* Stuart Schechter (Schec...@osu.edu)
* Robert Sprick (as...@acad2.alaska.edu)
* Yoshio Turner (yos...@CS.UCLA.EDU)
========================================================================
[2] Processor
========================================================================
[2-1] What is a PowerPC?
A PowerPC is a microprocessor designed to meet a standard which was
jointly designed by Motorola, IBM, and Apple. The PowerPC standard
specifies a common instruction set architecture (ISA), allowing anyone
to design and fabricate PowerPC processors, which will run the same
code. The PowerPC architecture is based on the IBM POWER architecture,
used in IBM's RS/6000 workstations. Currently IBM and Motorola are
working on PowerPC chips.
The PowerPC architecture specifies both 32-bit and 64-bit data paths.
Early implementations will be 32-bit; future higher-performance
implementations will be 64-bit. A PowerPC has 32 general purpose
(integer) registers (32- or 64-bit) and 32 floating point (IEEE standard
64-bit) registers.
NB: A PowerPC is *not* a computer, any more than an 80486 is a computer.
[2-2] How does PowerPC relate to POWER and POWER2?
As mentioned above, PowerPC is a direct descendant of POWER. POWER2 is
also a descendant of POWER, developed by IBM for use in their
workstations and other systems. POWER2 is an eight-chip multi-chip
module, and was released at approximately the same time as the first
PowerPC chip. While it is faster than the early PowerPC processors, it
is not as fast as the 620 is projected to be. It is likely that IBM will
combine the POWER family into the PowerPC family.
[2-3] What processors have been announced? What are their specs? When
will they be available?
PowerPC 601
The very first PowerPC. It was designed as bridge between the POWER
architecture and the PowerPC architecture. For this reason, it
incorporates the user-level POWER instructions which were eliminated
from the PowerPC specification.
PowerPC 601+
This is a 601, implemented in a 0.5u CMOS 2.5V process. This
effectively means that it runs faster and draws less power.
PowerPC 602
A processor aimed at consumer electronics (set-top boxes, game
consoles, etc.), PDAs, and embedded controller applications.
PowerPC 603
A low-power processor, intended for portable applications, e.g.,
notebook computers. Performance is roughly comparable to the 601
(see below for benchmarks).
PowerPC 603e
A higher-performance 603 with a faster clock and bigger caches.
(Originally called the "603+".)
PowerPC 604
A higher-performance processor, intended for high-end desktop
systems.
PowerPC 620
An even higher-performance processor, aimed at high-end systems and
multiprocessors. The 620 is the first 64-bit PowerPC implementation.
PowerPC 630
No details available on this chip yet. (Previously referred to as
the POWER 3 architecture.)
The 601 is manufactured by IBM and sold by both IBM and Motorola. The
603 and 603e are manufactured by both IBM and Motorola.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processor Clk(MHz) Power(W) Price(US$)
--------- -------- -------- ----------
MPC601 50 5.6 165
66 7 165
80 8 249
MPC601+ 100 4 399
110 ? ?
MPC602 66 1.2 ?
MPC603 66 2.5 165
80 3 195
MPC603e 100 3 207
120 ? 260
MPC604 100 14 549
120 ? ?
133 ? ?
MPC620 133 30 ?
Data Bus Func units Si Ship
Proc width width (I/FP/BP/LS) Cache Trans Process date date
------- ----- ----- ------------ ----- ----- ---------- ------- ------
MPC601 32 64 1/1/1/0 32 2.8 0.6u CMOS Oct 92 Apr 93
MPC601+ 32 64 1/1/1/0 32 2.8 0.5u CMOS 2Q 94 Nov 94
MPC602 32 64 1/1/0/1 4/4 1.0 0.5u CMOS Feb 95 2H 95
MPC603 32 32/64 1/1/1/1 8/8 1.6 0.5u CMOS Oct 93 Nov 94
MPC603e 32 32/64 1/1/1/1 16/16 2.6 0.5u CMOS Feb 95 2H 95
MPC604 32 64 3/1/1/1 16/16 3.6 0.5u CMOS Apr 94 Dec 94
MPC620 64 64/128 3/1/1/1 32/32 7 0.5u CMOS Oct 94 2H 95
Notes:
* Data width: width of the general purpose (integer/address)
registers and integer ALU(s), in bits
* Bus width: external memory data bus width, in bits -- the memory
bus can be, and often is, wider than the internal data path
* Functional units: I = integer unit
FP = floating point unit
BP = branch processing unit
LS = load/store unit
* Cache: On-chip cache in kilobytes - two numbers means
instruction/data; one number means unified
* Price: in US dollars, for large quantities
* Trans: number of transistors, in millions
* Si date: first silicon date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2-4] What processors have been announced by companies other than IBM
and Motorola?
Exponential Technology, Inc. <URL:http://www.exp.com/> has announced a
new line of PowerPC processors. They will be fabricated in BiCMOS
technology. This is apparently different from Intel's use of BiCMOS --
Exponential is using bipolar logic and CMOS memory arrays. Exponential's
first processor to ship in early 1997.
[2-5] What embedded controllers will be available?
IBM has announced the PowerPC 4xx embedded controller family. These will
be available as general purpose microcontrollers, application-specific
processors, and ASIC cores. The 4xx family will integrate caches and
other system-level logic to facilitate simpler and cheaper designs.
Performance and cost information is not yet available. One chip, the PPC
403GA, has been announced.
Motorola has announced the MPC500 family of microcontrollers. These
microprocessors will be "100% compatible" with the MPC600 series. The
first chip in this family, the MPC505, will run at 25 MHz. Samples of
the 25 MHz chip are expected in 4Q 1994, with 40 MHz parts expected by
4Q 1995. The MPC505 consists of a PowerPC core, a 4 kB SRAM module, and
a multi-functional system integration unit (SIU) (similar to the 68300
family).
Motorola's PowerQUICC (Quad Integrated Communications Controller) family
integrates a PowerPC core with a communications processor. These chips
are aimed at telecommunications and networking applications. The first
PowerQUICC chip, the MPC860, will come in 25 MHz and 40 MHz versions,
and is expected to sample in 4Q1995 with volume shipping in 2Q1996.
The Motorola MPC821 is similar to the MPC860, but is targeted at PDAs
and other portable devices. The MPC821 incorporates a PowerPC core, a
communications processor module (CPM) for signal processing, a PCMCIA
controller, and an LCD controller. It will be available in 25 MHz and 40
MHz versions, with sampling in October 1995 and production quantities in
January 1996.
[2-6] How fast is a PowerPC?
This table lists SPEC results for PowerPC machines, as well as a few
others, for comparison purposes. (SPEC is a benchmark suite designed to
test system performance. The SPECint portion uses integer-only code,
e.g., compilers; the SPECfp program uses floating point code, e.g.,
circuit simulation.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- SPEC92 --
Processor Clock Cache int fp System
------------ ------- ------------ ----- ----- ---------------------
MPC601 50 MHz 0/32k 41.7 51.0 IBM RS/6000 N40
66 MHz 0/32k 62.6 72.2 IBM RS/6000 250
66 MHz 0/32k 63.7 67.8 IBM RS/6000 40P
66 MHz 256k/32k 75.1 77.0 IBM RS/6000 40P
80 MHz 0/32k 78.8 90.4 IBM RS/6000 250
80 Mhz 0.5M/32k 88.1 98.7 IBM RS/6000 41T & 41W
80 Mhz 1M/32k 90.5 100.8 IBM RS/6000 C10
MPC601+ 100 MHz ?/32k 105 125 ? estimate
MPC602 66 MHz ?/4k/4k 40 ? Motorola/IBM estimate
MPC603 66 MHz 1M/8k/8k 60 70 Motorola estimate
80 MHz 1M/8k/8k 75 85 Motorola estimate
MPC603e 100 MHz ?/16k/16k 120 105 Motorola/IBM estimate
MPC604 100 MHz 256k/16k/16k 128.1 120.2 IBM RS/6000 43P
100 MHz 512k/16k/16k 140.8 129.1 IBM RS/6000 43P
120 MHz 512k/16k/16k 157.9 139.2 IBM RS/6000 43P
133 MHz 512k/16k/16k 176.4 156.5 IBM RS/6000 43P
MPC620 133 MHz ?/32k/32k 225 300 estimate
i486DX2 66 MHz 256k/8k 32.2 16.0 Compaq Deskpro
i486DX4 100 MHz 256k/16k 51.4 26.6 Micronics M4P PCI
Pentium 66 MHz 256k/8k/8k 78.0 63.6 Intel Xpress
Pentium 100 MHz 1M/8k/8k 121.9 93.2 Intel Xpress
Pentium 120 MHz 1M/8k/8k 140.0 103.9 Intel Xpress
68040 33 MHz ? 18 13 Mac Q950
68040 33 MHz ? 20.3 ? Mac Q800
Notes:
* SPEC does not allow estimated figures. The lines which are marked
"estimate" are not officially SPEC numbers, and are likely to be
proven inaccurate when real machines are released.
* Cache numbers are in kB or MB: format is external/instruction/data or
external/unified.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
# I'd like to list one or two more 040-based Macs in this table -- If
# anyone has Mac SPEC data, please let me know.
More information on the SPEC benchmark, including numbers for other
systems, is available in the newsgroup comp.benchmarks.
[2-7] Is there special hardware for emulating 68k or x86 processors?
All currently announced emulators are purely software. The PowerPC
architecture has a group of byte-reversing load and store instructions
which might be useful for emulating little-endian x86 processors on a
big-endian PowerPC system (such as an RS/6000 or a Power Macintosh).
There are no PowerPC processors with additional special hardware for
translating instructions from other processor families (but see the next
question). In addition, because software emulation has been reasonably
successful, it seems very unlikely that there will ever be hardware of
this type.
There are several x86 boards available for the PowerMacs. These are
effectively PC clones on a card, and allow you to run PC software
(though not directly on the PowerPC processor, of course).
[2-8] What is the PowerPC 615?
There are a couple of conflicting rumors regarding the 615. IBM has
denied that the project even exists.
The dominant rumor suggests that the 615 is a PowerPC processor, being
designed by IBM, which will contain special Intel x86 emulation
hardware. The latest version of the rumor claims that first silicon is
expected in March 1995.
Another rumor has the 615 as a PowerPC processor which will fit into
Intel OverDrive sockets, instantly turning an x86 system into a PowerPC
system. One problem with this is that the BIOS ROMs on PC motherboards
contain x86 code.
========================================================================
[3] Hardware
========================================================================
[3-1] What PowerPC-based workstations are/will be available? When will
they be available? How much will they cost?
IBM offers a line of RS/6000 workstations and servers, based on PowerPC
processors. These all run AIX (IBM's UNIX), and are binary compatible
with all other RS/6000s, including POWER-based systems. SPEC benchmark
figures for some of these are listed in the table above.
The RS/6000 40P is PReP-compliant, which means that it can run Windows
NT, as well as AIX.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
- Desktop
250 601 80 - 16-256 ? Aug 94
41W/T 601 80 0.5 16-256 10895 Jun 94
40P 601 66 0.25 16-192 3995 Oct 94 604 upgrd
43P-100 604 100 ? ? 6205 Jun 95
43P-120 604 120 ? ? 7315
43P-133 604 133 ? ? 7620
- Notebook
N40 601 50 - 16-64 11995 Mar 94
- X Terminal
Xstation 160 603 66 - 8 4949 Feb 95
- Server
C20 604 ? ? ? ? Jun 95
E20 604 100 0.5 16-512 10000 Oct 95
G30 2-4 601 75 0.5 32-512 40900 Oct 94 604 upgrd
J30 2-4 601 75 1.0 64-2048 70500 Oct 94 604/620 up
R30 2-4 601 75 1.0 64-2048 83900 Oct 94 604/620 up
Notes:
* proc: number and type of processors
* clk: clock speed (MHz)
* L2: standard and optional second-level cache (MB)
* RAM: memory configuration (MB)
* price: base price in US dollars
* date: initial ship date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Groupe Bull offers 601-based workstations and the ESCALA line of
multiprocessors, all running AIX. The multiprocessors are also sold by
IBM (as the G30, J30, and R30) and by Motorola (as the MP601-75). Groupe
Bull also sells a number of the Motorola systems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
- Workstation
? 601 66 ? ? 5445 ?
- Multiprocessor
Minitower 2-4 601 75 0.5 32-512 ? ? 604 upgrd
Deskside 2-8 601 75 1.0 64-2048 ? ? 604/620 up
Rack 2-8 601 75 1.0 64-2048 ? ? 604/620 up
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motorola has announced its PowerStack line of workstations and servers.
Motherboards will also be available. All are based on the PCI bus and
will ship with AIX or Windows NT (when available). The multiprocessor is
built by Bull; all other systems are built by Motorola. Motorola will
sell only to VARs, distributors, and system integrators -- individuals
can buy systems from them.
The following brochures are available:
* PowerStack Series Family (POWERSTACK/B)
* PowerStack RISC PC DT603-66 (DT603-66/DS)
* PowerStack RISC PC DT604-100 (DT604-100/DS)
* PowerStack RISC PC MT603-66 (MT603-66/DS)
* PowerStack RISC PC MT604-100 (MT604-100/DS)
* PowerStack Series E603-66P (E603-66P/DS2)
* PowerStack Series E604-100P (E604-100P/DS2)
* PowerStack Series MP601-75 (MP601/DS1)
Contact the Motorola Computer Group at 1-800-759-1107 for brochures or
more info on these systems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
- Desktop
DT603-66 603 66 0-1 16-128 3295 Dec 94 desktop
MT603-66 603 66 0-1 16-128 ? Dec 94 mini-tower
DT604-100 604 100 0-1 16-128 ? Dec 94 desktop
MT604-100 604 100 0-1 16-128 ? Dec 94 mini-tower
- Server
E603-66P 603 66 0.25-1 16-128 5995 Dec 94 stackable
E604-100P 601 100 0.25-1 16-128 7995 Dec 94 stackable
- Multiprocessor
MP601-75 2-8 601 75 1 64-2048 ? Dec 94 604 upgrd
- Motherboards
Atlas 603 603 66 0-1 ? 1505 Dec 94
Atlas 604 604 100 0-1 ? 2105 Dec 94
Ultra 603 603 66 0-1 2-128 2255 Dec 94
Ultra 604 604 100 0-1 2-128 2405 Dec 94
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Micro Technology Services, Inc. <URL:http://mtsi.ncc.com/mtsi> (MTSI)
sells the entire PowerStack line.
Peacock, in Germany, will sell a Motorola-built PowerStack server with
an 80 MHz 601, running AIX. Contact Peacock AG at ++49-295779-0 (tel) or
++49-295779-9067 (FAX).
[3-2] What PowerPC-based PReP-compliant (IBM-compatible) personal
computers are/will be available? When will they be available? How much
will they cost?
See also Question 3-7.
IBM announced a line of PowerPC-based personal computers in June, 1995.
The PC Power Series consists of two desktop models, both based on the
604. The ThinkPad Power Series consists of two notebook computers, based
on the 603E. Windows NT and AIX are currently available for these
systems. OS/2 Warp Connect (PowerPC Edition) is expected in 4Q95.
Solaris will be available, but no date has been announced. More
information on these systems is available on the WWW
<URL:http://www.austin.ibm.com/powrinfo.html>.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
- PC Power Series (desktop)
830 604 100 0.25 16-192 2795 Jun 95 PCI+ISA
850 604 100 0.25 16-192 ? Jun 95 PCI+ISA
604 120 0.25 16-192 ? Jul 95 PCI+ISA
604 133 0.5 16-192 ? Jul 95 PCI+ISA
- ThinkPad Power Series (notebook)
820 603E 100 0.25 16-48 ? Jun 95 PCMCIA+ISA
850 603E 100 0.25 16-96 ? Jun 95 PCMCIA+ISA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FirePower Systems (formed as a partnership with Canon) offers the
Powerized family of PReP 1.0 compliant systems. Currently available are
603, and 604-based uniprocessor sytems (the Powerized ES line) and a
604-based multiprocessor (the Powerized MX line). A 603e-based system
(also in the ES line) is expected in 2Q95. Also available are designs
and motherboards. All systems run Windows NT. FirePower sells only to
OEMs. The systems were announced in November 1994. Contact:
415-462-3025.
IPC Technologies Inc. is reselling FirePower machines through their
Austin <URL:http://www.ipctechinc.com/Austin/home.html> subsidiary.
Contact: 1-800-752-1577.
Canon is also reselling FirePower machines.
Japan Computer Corporation (JCC) is reselling FirePower machines as the
JP4 (604) and JP3e (603e) systems. These run a version of BSD 4.4 Lite.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
- FirePower OEM systems
MX4120/1 604 120 ? ? ? ? ?
MX4133/1 604 133 ? ? ? ? ?
MX4120/2 2 604 120 ? ? ? ? ?
MX4133/2 2 604 133 ? ? ? ? ?
- Austin
PowerPLAY 604 100 0.25 16-128 ? ? PCI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Taiwan New PC Consortium (TNPC) demonstrated a 601-based
PReP-compliant personal computer, running OS/2 and Windows NT, at CeBIT
in Germany (March 1994). Planned models will feature 50-80 MHz 601's and
75 MHz 603's. The expected release date for the first models was 3Q
1994, but this seems to have slipped.
Canon has announced that it will work with IBM on the PReP
specification. In particular, they plan to work on extensions to PReP
for PDA's and office products.
Tatung sells several PReP-compliant systems. 601-based systems were
available in October 1994. 604-based systems are expected in 1Q95.
DTK Computers (a Taiwanese company) sells an 80 MHz 601 system, which
runs Windows NT, and will run OS/2 when available.
[3-3] What PowerPC-based Apple (and compatible) personal computers
are/will be available? When will they be available? How much will they
cost?
The first Apple Power Macintosh models were released on March 14, 1994.
All PowerMacs run System 7, just like the 68k Macs. They come with an
emulator which will allow them to run 68k Mac applications. Critical
parts of the Toolbox ROM code have been ported and run natively; the
remainder is emulated.
Workgroup servers, the 6150, 8150, and 9150, are also available. These
currently run AppleShare 4.1 (which is not native, but is tuned for the
PowerMacs). Novell's Processor Independent NetWare (PIN) 4, when
available, may or may not run on these systems (according to rumors, PIN
will only be available on CHRP systems).
The first PowerPC-based PowerBooks were announced in August 1995.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
- desktop
Performa 52xx 603 75 0.25 8-64 1700 Apr 95 PDS
Performa 61xx 601 60 0-0.25 8-72 ? ? PDS
Performa 62xx 603 75 0.25 8-72 ? ? PDS
Performa 63xx 603e 100 0.25 16-64 ? ? PDS
5200/75 603 75 0.25 8-64 1700 Apr 95 PDS
6100/66 601 66 0.25 8-72 ? Jan 95 PDS
6200/75 603 75 0.25 8-64 ? ? PDS
7100/80 601 80 0.25 8-136 ? Jan 95 3 NuBus
7200/75 601 75 0-? 8-256 1700 Aug 95 3 PCI
7200/90 601 90 0-? 8-256 1900 Aug 95 3 PCI
7500/100 601 100 0-? 16 2700 Aug 95 3 PCI
8100/100 601+ 100 0.25 8-264 ? Jan 95 3 NuBus
8100/110 601+ 110 0.25 16-264 6400 Nov 94 3 NuBus
8500/120 604 120 0.25 16-512 4000 Aug 95 3 PCI
9500/133 604 133 0.5 16-768 ? Jun 94 6 PCI
- server
AWS 6150/66 601 66 0.25 16-72 ? Apr 95 PDS
AWS 8150/110 601+ 110 0.25-1 16-264 ? Apr 95 3 NuBus
AWS 9150/120 601+ 120 1 16-264 ? ? 4 NuBus
- notebook
PB Duo 2300 603e 100 0 8-56 3500 Aug 95 PDS
PB 5300/100 603e 100 0 8-64 2200 Aug 95 2 PC Card
PB 5300c/100 603e 100 0 8-64 ? Aug 95 2 PC Card
PB 5300cs/100 603e 100 0 8-64 ? Aug 95 2 PC Card
PB 5300ce/117 603e 117 0 32-64 6500 Aug 95 2 PC Card
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Configurations are available with different RAM and hard disk sizes. All
configurations are bundled with a CD ROM drive and some include
SoftWindows and/or various other software.
Apple no longer sells PowerPC upgrades for desktop systems. This
includes motherboards, PDS boards, and the 68040 replacement
daughterboard. These products are now being sold by DayStar (see below),
who co-developed them with Apple.
Apple is currently selling PowerPC upgrades for the PowerBook 500 series
(daughterboards) and the PowerBook Duo 200 series (replacement logic
boards).
Power Computing <URL:http://www.powercc.com/> is the first company to
get a license from Apple to produce Macintosh clones. Power Computing
started shipping systems on May 1, 1995.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
Power 100 601+ 100 0.25-1 8-200 ? May 95 3 NuBus
Power 120 601+ 120 0.25-1 8-200 2000 Sep 95 3 NuBus
PowerWave 120 604 120 0.25-1 16-512 ? Oct 95 3 PCI/2 NB
PowerWave 132 604 132 0.25-1 16-512 3200 Oct 95 3 PCI/2 NB
PowerWave 150 604 150 0.5-1 16-512 4500 Oct 95 3 PCI/2 NB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius <URL:http://www.radius.com/> has also announced that it will make
Mac clones. Radius intends to target color publishing and video users.
Radius began shipping systems in July 1995.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
System 81/110 601+ 110 ? 16-? 3500 Aug 95
System 100 601+ 110 ? 72-264 10000 Aug 95
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pioneer has licensed the MacOS and has announced a line of low-end
systems aimed at the home entertainment market. The 66 MHz 601-based
MPC-GX1 is expected to be demonstrated at the end of February 1995. The
availability date is unknown.
Daystar Digital <URL:http://www.daystar.com/> has announced a line of
PCI bus PowerMac clones, which will support up to four 132 MHz 604s. The
Genesis system is scheduled to ship in October 1995, with prices
starting at $15000. Daystar also sells various Macintosh upgrade
options.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
model proc clk L2 RAM price date notes
------------- ------- --- ------ ------- ----- ------- ----------
Genesis 1-4 604 132 0.5 16-1.5G 15000 Oct 95 6 PCI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
German prices for PowerMacs and clones are available on the WWW
<URL:http://paradox.informatik.uni-siegen.de/~thmartin/preise-mac.html>.
[3-4] What PowerPC-based controllers are/will be available? When will
they be available? How much will they cost?
CETIA (a subsidiary of Thomson-CSF) is selling PowerPC-based VME
single-board computers. Currently available are 66 and 100 MHz 601-based
boards and the PowerEngine CVME 603, a PReP compliant 66 MHz 603-based
board. Available OS's are UNI/XT (AIX) and UNI/RT 5.0 (LynxOS). VxWorks
(from Wind River Systems) is currently in beta. The 66 MHz 601 board
with 16 MB of memory sells for $7100. Contact: 617-494-0987 (North
America).
The Motorola Computer Group has announced a family of VME boards. The
MVME1600/PM603 uses a 66 MHz 603; the MVME1600/PM604 uses a 100 MHz 604.
[3-5] What PowerPC-based supercomputers and parallel processors are/will
be available? When will they be available? How much will they cost?
Parsytec <URL:http://www.parsytec.de/> has announced that it will be
combining PowerPC processors and Transputer communication processors in
its multiprocessor systems. These include:
* the CC ("Cognitive Computer") System (100/120/133 MHz 604's, 160
SPECint92, 165 SPECfp92 per node)
* the MPP supercomputer series GC/PowerPlus (32-1024 601's, 2.5-80
GFLOPS)
* the desktop MPP series PowerXplorer (4-64 601's, 5 GFLOPS peak,
under $70,000 per GFLOPS)
* the modular real-time product series MC-3
For more information, contact:
Carsten Rietbrock
Parsytec GmbH
Product Marketing
Juelicherstrasse 338
52070 Aachen GERMANY
Tel.: +49-241-166000; Fax: +49-241-16600-50
ISG Technologies has announced a line of parallel processor-based
accelerators. The entry-level Pulsus uses 8 601's (clock speed
unspecified). The expected ship date is 4Q 1994.
Mercury Computer Systems has announced that is is developing 603e-based
systems. Mercury sells high-performance computers targeted for embedded
applications such as defense signal processing and medical imaging.
Harris announced its Night Hawk line of PowerPC-based multprocessors in
May 1995. Systems with up to 8 100 MHz 604s are expected to ship in
September 1995.
[3-6] What other PowerPC-based systems are/will be available? When will
they be available? How much will they cost?
3DO has announced that its second generation game machine will use a
PowerPC processor. See Question 6-2.
Apple has announced a "multimedia platform" called Pippin, which will be
based on MacOS and the PowerPC 603. Pippin is intended to compete with
Sega, Nintendo, and 3DO, but is supposed to run other multimedia
applications in addition to games. The first Pippin system will be
designed by Apple and manufactured by Bandai, a Japanese company, and is
expected to be available in early 1996 for around $500.
Be, Inc. <URL:http://www.be.com/> has announced a new operating system
called BeOS. This will initially run on Be's own dual-604
multiprocessor, called the BeBox. This machine is expected to ship in
1Q96. See the WWW page or contact in...@be.com for more information.
[3-7] What is PReP and how can I get a copy?
The PowerPC Reference Platform (PReP) is a system standard, designed by
IBM, intended to ensure compatibility among PowerPC-based systems built
by different companies. The PReP standard specifies the PCI bus, but
will also support ISA, MicroChannel, and PCMCIA.
According to IBM, PReP-compliant systems will be able to run OS/2 AIX,
Solaris, Taligent, and Windows NT. IBM systems will (of course) be
PReP-compliant. Apple's first PowerPC Macs are not compliant; future
Macs will probably be CHRP-compliant (see below).
The current version of the PReP spec is 1.1.
Here are the instructions for obtaining a copy of PReP specification
(freely available to all requesters).
For hardcopy:
* In USA:
1-800-POWERPC (1-800-769-3772)
1-708-296-6767 if the above number cannot be reached or
multilingual operator is needed
* In Europe:
(39)-39-600-4295
* Hardware system vendors may obtain IBM design kits which give
further information on the reference implementation by contacting
IBM at the numbers listed above or at one of the following numbers:
* In Europe:
(33)-6713-5757 (in French)
(33)-6713-5756 (in Italian)
(49)-511-516-3444 (in English)
(49)-511-516-3555 (in German)
* In Asia:
(81)-755-87-4745 (in Japanese)
For softcopy (PostScript files):
* CompuServe PowerPC Forum, PowerPC Ref Platform library section
* IBM Information Network/IIN IBMLink, PowerPC Bulletin Board Services
* Internet anonymous ftp
<URL:ftp://ftp.austin.ibm.com/pub/technology/spec>
[3-8] What is the Common Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP)?
The CHRP is an open platform agreed on by Apple, IBM, and Motorola. All
CHRP systems will be able to run MacOS, OS/2-PPC, Windows NT, AIX,
Solaris, Novell Netware, and possibly other operating systems. CHRP is a
superset of PReP and the PowerMac platform; thus you'll be able to run
applications written for the PReP OS's (OS/2-PPC, Windows NT, AIX) and
the PowerMac (MacOS) on the new CHRP systems (under the same OS they're
written for, of course). In addition, any CHRP software which doesn't
require the Mac ROM, serial ports, or ADB ports should run on PReP
machines.
There is some confusion as to whether or not the CHRP standard will
require a ROM socket (for MacOS ROMs). Apple has said that a future
release of MacOS will not require the ROMs.
The CHRP standard was finalized in November, 1995. The specifications
are being published by Morgan Kaufmann Publishers as _PowerPC
Microprocessor Common Hardware Reference Platform: A System
Architecture_, ISBN 1-55860-394-8. It is also available on the WWW
<URL:http://www.austin.ibm.com/tech/chrp/index.html>.
Apple is referring to CHRP as the PowerPC Platform (PPCP). Apple has
more information, including the above book in PDF format, on the WWW
<URL:http://chrp.apple.com/>.
[3-9] Can PowerPC 601-based computers be upgraded to, e.g., a 604 when
they become available?
This depends on exactly which computer you have. Some of Apple's
PowerMacs have their processors on replacable daughterboards. See also
Question 3-3.
IBM Power Personal Systems will have a 200-pin slot on the motherboard,
apparently intended for a level-2 cache or a processor upgrade.
Motorola PowerStack systems provide a L2 cache socket which can also be
used for PowerPC processor upgrades simply by plugging in a daughter
board.
[3-10] Where can I get the specifications for the PCI bus?
The following documents:
* PCI Spec Rev 2.0
* PCI BIOS Spec Rev 2.0
* PCI Sys Design Guide 1.0
* PCI Local Bus Product Guide
are available for $25 each or $50 for the first three from:
PCI Special Interest Group
M/S HF3-15A
5200 N.E. Elam Young Parkway
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124-6497
Phone: 800-433-5177
FAX: 503-693-0920
[3-11] Can I used any old PCI card in my PowerMac/PReP/etc.?
In general, a driver for the particular computer is required to use a
PCI card, i.e., to use a PCI video card in a PowerMac, that card would
have to come with a PowerMac driver.
A list of PCI cards which have PowerMac support is available on the WWW
<URL:http://www.njin.net/~msproul/macintosh/PCIcards.html>.
[3-12] What is FireWire?
FireWire is a joint Apple and TI implementation of the IEEE P1394
SerialBus standard. It is a high-speed (100 Mb/s) serial bus for
peripheral devices; it is intended to replace Apple Desktop Bus (ADB)
and SCSI, for example. FireWire supports automatic configuration
("plug-and-play") and hot-plugging. It is also isochronous, meaning that
a fixed slice of bandwidth can be dedicated to a particular peripheral,
e.g., for video. The draft standard can be obtained from IEEE Customer
Service: 800-678-IEEE, 908-981-0060, fax: 908-981-9667.
========================================================================
[4] Software
========================================================================
[4-1] What operating systems will run on PowerPC-based computers? When
will they be available?
UNIX
Several flavors of UNIX have been (or will be) ported to the
PowerPC.
IBM's AIX has been available since October 1993. AIX 4.1, available
in August, 1994 is PowerOpen-compliant. There will also be a version
called Personal AIX, which will come without certain utilities and
development tools, for IBM's PC's.
Apple will not ship A/UX for the PowerPC.
Tenon Intersystems <URL:http://www.tenon.com/>' MachTen is a
Mach-based UNIX for the Macintosh. Version 4.0, which shipped in
August 1995, runs natively on PowerMacs.
A PowerPC port of Linux is in progress. The current platform is the
Motorola 1603 board, with PowerMacs, Motorola Ultra and PowerStack
systems, and the IBM RS/6000 to follow. For more information, see
the Linux/PowerPC FAQ
<URL:http://liber.stanford.edu/linuxppc/linux-ppc-FAQ.html>.
IBM and SunSoft have signed an agreement which says that SunSoft
will port Solaris for PReP-compliant systems and IBM will distribute
it. A beta release was demonstrated at the Sydney Solaris Forum in
August 1994. The PowerPC version of Solaris will have the same API
as the SPARC and x86 versions; most applications will run on the
PowerPC with only a recompile. SunSoft expects to release Solaris
for PowerPC, x86, and SPARC platforms before mid-1995.
Harris Computer Systems Corporation currently offers Secure/Power
UNIX, a multi-level secure PowerOpen-compliant operating system for
IBM RS/6000 workstations and Harris Night Hawk multiprocessors.
Secure/Power UNIX is the first standards-based B2-level environment
available for the RS/6000. Harris will release Real-Time/Power UNIX
and PowerUNIX in 1995. Secure/Power UNIX is available through Harris
Computer Systems Corp. and IBM Federal. Contact: Lisa Thornhill at
305-977-5615.
Ports of NeXTStep and Novell UnixWare are rumored to be underway.
MacOS
Power Macintoshes ship with System 7, just like 68k Macs. Critical
parts of the Toolbox (system code in ROM) have been ported to the
PowerPC; the remainder is emulated. Apple analyzed existing code to
determine the most frequently used Toolbox routines, and ported
those first.
Apple has ported the MacOS to other platforms. See the description
of MAS and MAE in Question 4-6.
With the CHRP announcement (see Question 3-8), Apple announced that
it would start selling the MacOS independently of Apple hardware.
This means that a user will be able to buy MacOS in a store, and
install it on any CHRP system. Whether MacOS for CHRP systems will
be entirely on disk or on ROMs is still up in the air.
Windows
Windows NT has been ported to the PowerPC. Version 3.5 has been
shipping to developers since October 1994. Systems shipped with NT
have been available since early 1995. The current version is 3.51,
released in June, 1995.
OS/2 (was WorkplaceOS)
OS/2-PPC will be source code compatible with OS/2-x86 for 32-bit
applications, i.e., 32-bit OS/2 applications will run natively after
recompiling. 16-bit OS/2 applications will have to be ported to
32-bit before reompilation. OS/2-PPC will provide an emulator for
MS-DOS and Windows code (see below), however it will not support
OS/2-x86 code. The first alpha release of OS/2-PPC was sent to
developers in Nov., 1994. In Dec. 1994, IBM sent the first beta
release, which includes features of OS/2 Warp, to 150 software
developers. OS/2-PPC entered its general beta release in summer
1995. The release version is expected in 4Q95.
"If you're an IHV or OEM, and plan to support OS/2 For PowerPC, do
we have a deal for you. You can fill out an application for the OS/2
For PowerPC beta program, and if you qualify, we will train you and
send you your own free PowerPC loaner (for one year) preloaded with
OS/2 For PowerPC. You can fill out an application at Comdex, or
download it from the DUDE, at (407) 982-3217, N81. Stop by and see
us at Comdex for more information on the IHV/OEM OS/2 For PowerPC
loaner program. --Steve, OS/2 For PowerPC IHV/OEM Support, Boca
Raton" [from CompuServe]
(See also Question 4-5.)
Others
Taligent (see Question 4-3 below).
LynxOS is a real-time UNIX-like operating system, which has been
ported to the 601, 603, and 604. It is currently available for
Cetia's VME boards (see above). It is expected to be available for
IBM's PReP systems in 2Q95. Contact Lynx Real Time Systems at
408-354-7770 or sa...@lynx.com.
OS/9, a real-time UNIX-like operating system for embedded systems,
is available for PowerPC-based systems. Contact Microware.
pSOS+ is a real time operating system for the PowerPC with
networking support. It currently runs on the Motorola MVME1603
boards and on 403GA boards. Contact Integrated Systems, Inc.
Taos is a distributed operating system, which achieves processor
independence through the use of a "virtual machine". Ports are
currently available for several processors, including the PowerPC
601 and 603. The developer claims a PowerMac version will be
available by the end of 1995. Contact Tao Systems Ltd (in London).
OSE Delta <URL:http://www.enea.se/ose/index.html>, a real-time
operating system intended for distributed and fault tolerant
applications, will be available for the Power PC in 1Q96. The MPC
versions for embedded and real-time applications will be supported.
OSE Delta includes advanced capabilities such as run time
configuration, debugging and program loading (hot updates). Contact
info...@enea.se.
Be, Inc. <URL:http://www.be.com/> has announced a new operating
system called BeOS. See Question 3-6.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
name company base OS GUI endian avail
----------------- ----------- --------------- ------- ------ ------
- UNIX
AIX 4.1 IBM SysVR3 X+Motif big Oct 93
NeXTStep NeXT Mach2 + BSD4.3 DPS ? ?
Solaris 2.x SunSoft SysVR4 X+Motif little mid 95
Secure/Power UNIX Harris SysVR4 X+Motif ? Jun 94
UnixWare Novell SysVR4 X+Motif ? ?
MachTen Tenon Mach2 + BSD4.3 X+Motif big 1Q 95
Linux Gnu Pub Lic ? X big ?
- Mac
MacOS 7 Apple custom custom big Mar 94
- PC
Windows NT Microsoft custom custom little 1Q 95
OS/2 - PPC IBM Mach3 + custom custom little 95
PIN Novell Netware ? ? ?
- other
Taligent Taligent custom custom? ? 95
LynxOS Lynx AT&T RTK X+Motif ? Jul 94
OS/9 Microware custom X, cust ? Dec 94
pSOS+ ISI custom X big Dec 93
Taos Tao Systems custom ? ? Mar 95
OSE Delta Enea Data custom ? ? 1Q 96
BeOS Be custom custom ? 1Q 96
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4-2] What is PowerOpen?
The PowerOpen Association defines and promotes the PowerOpen Environment
(POE). The POE is a PowerPC-based standard for operating systems and
applications. Most work so far has been with UNIX-like systems. The POE
is not an operating system; it is a definition containing an application
program interface (API) specification as well as an application binary
interface (ABI) specification. The presence of the ABI specification in
the POE is a factor distinguishing PowerOpen from other open systems
(POSIX, XPG4, etc.) since it allows achievement of platform independent
binary compatibility. Any POE-compliant operating system will be able to
run all POE software. Other non-POE standards cannot provide binary
compatibility over several hardware platforms, and usually limit a
software version to a specific platform.
The POE is an open standard, derived from AIX and conforming to industry
open standards including POSIX, XPG4, Motif, etc. The POE specification
is publicly available to anyone, and is especially of interest to those
producing either applications or hardware platforms. The PowerOpen
Association provides the necessary conformance testing and POE branding.
The key features of the POE are:
* Based on the PowerPC architecture
* Hardware bus independence
* System implementations can range from laptops to supercomputers
* Requires a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system
* Networking support
* X windows extension
* Macintosh Application Services extension
* Motif
* Conformance tested and certified by an independent party (PowerOpen
Association)
The PowerOpen Association has a WWW page
<URL:http://www.poweropen.org/>. More information, including key white
papers, resides there. Topics include:
* PowerOpen Association Fact Sheet: about the organization and
membership
* PowerOpen Certification of Compliance: about POE compliance
* PowerOpen Association Q & A
(The above text was provided by the PowerOpen Association.)
NB: PowerOpen is not itself an operating system -- it is only a
*standard* for operating systems.
The PowerOpen Association consists of IBM, Motorola, Apple, Bull,
Thomson-CSF, Harris, Tadpole Technology, and others.
The PowerOpen specification applies to UNIX-like operating systems. AIX
4.1, available in August, 1994 is PowerOpen-compliant. Apple's System 7
will not be PowerOpen-compliant.
For more information contact Gordon Kass (g.k...@poweropen.org) or Chris
Adams (c.a...@poweropen.org).
[4-3] What is Taligent / Pink?
Taligent is a company founded jointly by Apple and IBM in March 1992. HP
announced in January, 1994 that it would buy a 15% stake in Taligent.
They are working on an "object-oriented operating system", due to be
finished sometime in 1995.
The first software due to be released by taligent is CommonPoint
(previously called the Taligent Application Environment). CommonPoint is
"a portable application system consisting of a comprehensive set of
reusable object-oriented software frameworks". A beta version was
released to developers in March, 1995. According to reports, CommonPoint
will be available for HP-UX, AIX, OS/2, and later versions of System 7.
Pink is an older name for Taligent, dating back to work that Apple did
before the formation of Taligent.
[4-4] Will NeXTStep be ported to the PowerPC?
NeXTStep has been ported to the RS/6000 (POWER architecture), but is not
commercially available. According to rumors, NeXTStep has been seen
running on PowerPC machines. No official announcement has been made by
NeXT as to availability.
Sun has announced that it will incorporate OpenStep, a version of
NeXTStep, in Solaris. SunSoft has announced that they are porting
Solaris to PReP-compliant systems, so OpenStep will presumably be
available. The OpenStep API specification is available by ftp
<URL:ftp://ftp.next.com/pub/OpenStepSpec>.
[4-5] What is WorkplaceOS? Will OS/2 be available on PowerPC-based
computers?
Workplace is a microkernel-based architecture (based on Mach 3)
developed by IBM. Workplace will be used as the foundation for several
different operating systems. The first of these will be OS/2 for the
PowerPC (see above). Note that some confusion has been caused by the
fact that the development name for OS/2-PPC was WorkplaceOS (WPOS) --
this name is no longer used.
[4-6] Can IBM-PC / Macintosh software be run on PowerPC-based computers?
Several emulators have been announced. Generally, these are intended to
run Macintosh or MS-DOS/Windows applications under the various native
operating systems.
Macintosh
Macintosh Application Services (MAS), supported by Apple, allows
PowerOpen-compliant OS's to run Mac applications. MAS includes a
68040 emulator and a PowerPC port of the Mac toolbox, so it will run
both 68k and PowerPC Mac binaries. MAS has been demonstrated on
IBM's PowerPC personal systems.
Apple, in cooperation with Sun and HP, has released the Macintosh
Application Environment (MAE). MAE allows Mac applications to run
under X Windows on Sun SPARCstations and HP 9000 series 700
workstations. MAE emulates a 68LC040, but critical parts of the
Toolbox run natively. MAE is similar to MAS, but only runs 68k
binaries. For more information, see the MAE WWW site
<URL:http://www.mae.apple.com/>. A demo version is available by ftp
<URL:ftp://ftp.support.apple.com/pub/mae/product-trial/>.
Executor, produced by ARDI, is currently available for NeXTStep and
NeXTStep/Intel, and will soon be available for MS-DOS, and Sun and
Alpha workstations. Executor emulates a 68040-based monochrome
Macintosh running System 6. Version 2.0 is supposed to offer 8-bit
color and some System 7 features. ARDI uses reverse-engineered
Toolbox code, i.e., it was written from scratch from the interface
specs. For this reason, it it easily portable -- expect to see it
ported to other platforms (including the PowerPC) in the near
future.
Power Macintoshes have the built-in capability to run 68k Mac
software. The 68k application code will be emulated, but critical
parts of the system code have been ported. The emulator emulates a
68LC040 without the FPU.
Speed Doubler from Connectix <URL:http://www.connectix.com/>
includes a faster 68k emulator, among other things.
MS-DOS/Windows
Wabi, produced by Sun, runs under UNIX/X. It emulates x86 code, and
translates Windows calls to X calls. IBM is working on an 80386
translator. Support has been announced for Solaris and AIX. Wabi is
based on the public specs for the Windows ABI. (Wabi originally
stood for "Windows Application Binary Interface" -- it's spelled
"Wabi", not "WABI", for trademark reasons.) This has been
demonstrated on IBM's PowerPC personal systems.
SoftPC and SoftWindows, produced by Insignia, run under several
OS's: Mac OS, Windows NT, NeXTStep, and various other UNIX flavors.
Version 2.0, released in August, 1995, emulates a 486DX and Windows
calls. Insignia has licensed the Windows source code from Microsoft.
OS/2 for the PowerPC (which was also known as WorkplaceOS) will run
MS-DOS and Windows code via the Instruction Set Translator (IST), an
instruction-caching x86 emulator. OS/2-PPC will not directly run
OS/2-x86 code.
========================================================================
[5] Comparisons
========================================================================
[5-1] Should I buy a PowerPC system rather than a Pentium or 68k system?
Apple is committed to making their Power Macintoshes feel just like the
68k Macs, but faster. It looks like they will eventually switch the
entire Mac line over to the PowerPC. If you plan to buy a new Mac, this
is probably the way to go.
A Pentium system will run existing x86 code faster than a 601 will
emulate it. If you need to run x86 code as fast as possible, buy a
Pentium box.
On the other hand, many x86 applications will probably be ported to the
PowerPC. The extent of this porting will likely determine the success of
the PowerPC in the personal computer market.
In terms of pure performance (whatever that is), it looks like there
will be a fairly close race between the PowerPC family and the Intel x86
family. The Intel-HP agreement promises to make things even more
interesting. Only the future will tell whose chips and whose systems
will be the fastest.
[5-2] What will be the differences between the various PowerPC-based
personal computers?
There are currently two major classes of PowerPC-based personal
computers (not counting workstations): the Apple Macintosh line and the
PReP-compliant machines. It now appears that these two groups are
converging on the CHRP standard. In theory, any CHRP-compliant system
will be able to run any CHRP operating system (MacOS, OS/2, Windows NT,
etc.). Whether this will actually materialize remains to be seen.
========================================================================
[6] Miscellaneous
========================================================================
[6-1] What's the deal with Ford and the PowerPC?
Ford and Motorola have signed an agreement resulting in a custom PowerPC
to be used by Ford as a powertrain controller. Details on this chip are
not available.
[6-2] What's the deal with 3DO and the PowerPC?
3DO, the video game company, is planning to use the PowerPC 602 in its
next generation game machine. An upgrade board, the M2 accelerator,
using this new processor, will be avaiable some time in 1995.