Motorola: 20% Faster, 2GHz PowerPC G4s Using 0.18 Micron Process


Adding some substance to the Motorola rumors IGM reported yesterday, UK publication EE Times confirms that Motorola has successfully transferred its 0.13-micron CMOS process back to 0.18-micron silicon process, utilizing low-k dielectrics. resulting in speed gains of up to 20% for its PowerPC 7455 and 7457 CPUs.

In practical terms, this means that a 1GHz processor can run at 1.2GHz, while maintaining low power demands and reliability, according to Motorola.

The story suggests that the 0.18-micron chips may be headed for Apple, although Motorola would not comment on either potential clock frequencies or customers.

However, the clock speeds Motorola is expecting are likely to be disappointing to Mac users. The company expects to double clock frequencies every 18 months, and "get into the 2-GHz range for PowerPC," according to Dirk Wristers, director of device/integration for Motorola's MOS-13 wafer fab, who is quoted in the article. However, Wristers does not suggest whether 2GHz is the maximum clock for the 74xx family of processors, or over what period of time Motorola expects to hit 2GHz.

Wristers does note that the 74xx will retain low power-consumption characteristics of around 20 watts, although he does state that if power consumption were higher, higher clock frequencies could be achieved.

Analysis: Some might say 'too little, too late', although 74xx processors may have a future in Apple's low-end models, as IGM suggested yesterday. If the G4 does have a medium-term future - and it's our belief that it does - then bear in mind that G4-equipped iMacs, eMacs and iBooks will outsell their 970-based cousins, perhaps at 2:1, given that Apple's premium pro products will still only sell to those that have the means - as opposed to the desire - to own them.