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I've have a 2.5Ghz G5 on order (order placed 7/7) and now I'm hearing that the delays may be due to some sort of IBM chip problem. Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it simply a supply vs. demand problem, a quality problem, both or neither? This is to be my first Mac (assuming it ever ships) and I'm a little concerned that I'm now hearing about chip problems.
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PowerPC chip problems
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blackwind 
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Posted 27 August 2004 - 03:09 PM
The answer is fundamentally both due to how the processors are fabricated.
Microprocessors are manufactured in "bins" (groups of processors on silicon wafers). The processors are then tested by the manufacturer (in this case, IBM) to see what is the best rating for the processor. Usually, this is decided by choosing the clock speed at which the processor gives off the specified levels of heat and is sufficiently reliable.
The fact that there is a shortage of 2.5-GHz PowerPC 970FX processors implies that few of the processors are of high enough quality to be clocked at such a high speed. This is why there are so many more lower-clocked processors.
Ultimately, any processors that are deemed unreliable are not released to consumers, so you don't really need to worry. In very rare occasions, unfit processors do make it out, but it is not an indicator of the general quality of all of the processors.
EDIT: Oh, and yes, Grant G is correct. There are quite a few Dual 2.5-GHz Power Mac G5's out there now. I think that I have yet to read a report where there are major problems.
Microprocessors are manufactured in "bins" (groups of processors on silicon wafers). The processors are then tested by the manufacturer (in this case, IBM) to see what is the best rating for the processor. Usually, this is decided by choosing the clock speed at which the processor gives off the specified levels of heat and is sufficiently reliable.
The fact that there is a shortage of 2.5-GHz PowerPC 970FX processors implies that few of the processors are of high enough quality to be clocked at such a high speed. This is why there are so many more lower-clocked processors.
Ultimately, any processors that are deemed unreliable are not released to consumers, so you don't really need to worry. In very rare occasions, unfit processors do make it out, but it is not an indicator of the general quality of all of the processors.
EDIT: Oh, and yes, Grant G is correct. There are quite a few Dual 2.5-GHz Power Mac G5's out there now. I think that I have yet to read a report where there are major problems.
#4
Grant_G
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Posted 27 August 2004 - 03:19 PM
Blackwind,
I read your "doctoral thesis" in the other thread, and I've got to say that for the layman (me, in spades!) you made it clear and sensible. I thought when I began reading it that I would eventually just scan it, or even skip it ... I hung on every word. Great job!
G
I read your "doctoral thesis" in the other thread, and I've got to say that for the layman (me, in spades!) you made it clear and sensible. I thought when I began reading it that I would eventually just scan it, or even skip it ... I hung on every word. Great job!
G
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