IBM releases new lower power PowerPC processors
IBM has introduced two single-core PowerPC processors that use up to 50% less power than previous models. The PowerPC 750CL is a 32-bit processor with speeds ranging from 400 MHz to 1 GHz. The 970GX is a much more powerful 32 and 64-bit chip that runs from 1.2 to 2.5 GHz.
The 750CL has 256 kB of L2 cache while the 970GX has 1 MB of cache. Compared to the previous model, IBM says the 750CL uses 50% less energy which makes it ideal for consumer electronics and other embedded applications. Multimedia and high-end communications devices are the target of the 970GX.
The chips could also find their way into independant game consoles. IBM has a virtual monopoly in consoles with the Xbox 360 and the upcoming Nintendo Wii using the PowerPC processor. The Playstation 3 will use IBM's Cell processor.
The PowerPC 750CL and 970GX are available immediately.
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Humphrey Cheung was a senior editor at Tom's Hardware, covering a range of topics on computing and consumer electronics. You can find more of his work in many major publications, including CNN and FOX, to name a few.