IBM might manufacture Xbox 2 CPU

[suburbanguy]

An anonymous source informed us today that Microsoft and IBM have signed a multi-million dollar agreement under which IBM Microelectronics will manufacture a next generation CPU for the Xbox 2. Work on the new processor has already started, but the deal was inked just a few days ago.

Who is designing the chip? At this point, we don’t know. We assume that the chip would be built at the East Fishkill plant. This is IBM’s most state-of-the-art fabrication facility.

We also don’t know if the chip will be manufactured using current 0.13 micron (a micron is a millionth of a meter) process technology or the upcoming 90nm fabrication process.


At the moment we have no official confirmations about this information so take it for what it’s worth. A Microsoft spokesman was unavailable for comment at the time of posting this story. We’ll certainly have more as things develop.

(from TeamXbox but mysteriously disappeared)

[ragejg]

hmmmm.... yes, but who's gonna DEVELOP it?

:p

[Uttar]

One of these days, NVDA's gonna have to buy Transmeta - it just got to happen IMO... I mean, Transmeta's not in a position to survive more than a few more years from my perspective, unless a miracle happens. And considering their relationship, NVDA might buy them...

So... NVIDIA/Transmeta working on the CPU, ATI on the GPU? :D

Just kidding, hehe ;) :p



Uttar

[GlowStick]

In all honesty, if IBM really is going to make a CPU for xbox, then it will be a variant of the G4 or G5 found in macs........

how disturbing.

[suburbanguy]

I highly, highly doubt IBM will design the XBox 2 CPU.


the rumor mentions IBM manufacturing XBox 2 CPU, not designing it.


like NEC manufactures the GameCube's GPU but they didn't design it,
ArtX designed it.

[snowwhite]

AMD? Maybe they are preparing to buy them :)

[cthellis]

Originally posted by GlowStick
In all honesty, if IBM really is going to make a CPU for xbox, then it will be a variant of the G4 or G5 found in macs........

how disturbing.

Why disturbing? We already have a PowerPC in the middle of GameCube. ^_^

[GlowStick]

Originally posted by cthellis
Why disturbing? We already have a PowerPC in the middle of GameCube. ^_^ Have you played a game cube?

[Ninja Prime]

Originally posted by GlowStick
Have you played a game cube?

I own one, what about it? It's a sweet system, if it only had more developer support...

[GlowStick]

Originally posted by Ninja Prime
I own one, what about it? It's a sweet system, if it only had more developer support... i played at my friends house, i could count the frames.

[bkswaney]

I think they need to get sony to do it for them. ;) :p

I have both a GC and XBox. I only got the GC for starwars. :)

[bloodbob]

Well who is designing the CPU if IBM isn't???? cause intel isn't because its supposed to be a .net chip.

[GlowStick]

Originally posted by bloodbob
Well who is designing the CPU if IBM isn't???? cause intel isn't because its supposed to be a .net chip. .net chip? LOL

i predict they will use a modified off the shelf x86 processor, by modified i mean crappier, eg like saying yeah, can we get a intel celeron, but with less cache, it has to much already. or, yeah can we get a thourobred, wayyy less cach and less clock speed, it has to much already.

[-=DVS=-]

Wish they would use Athlon 64 :drooling:

[snowwhite]

Yea.. wtf is .NET chip :angel2: SPU (script processing unit)? =D

[GlowStick]

Originally posted by snowwhite
Yea.. wtf is .NET chip :angel2: SPU (script processing unit)? =D yeah i know, its pritty funny.

someone also told me that "with visual studio .NET, vb,c,c++ when compiled, runs at the same speeds"

[snowwhite]

Originally posted by GlowStick
yeah i know, its pritty funny.

someone also told me that "with visual studio .NET, vb,c,c++ when compiled, runs at the same speeds"

Yes, it's amazing that compiling application on VS .NET makes it .NET application ;) Shame on those who buy the .NET hype... I wouldn't use it for anything that relies on performance