The Computer Revolution/Hardware/Microprocessor
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
Contents |
[edit] Workstation
The Work Station Computer is an expensive, powerful personal computer, usually used for the complex scientific mathematical and engineering Calculations and for computer aided design and manufacturing. These computers are commonly used by engineers and other scientific people who would need the extra power in a computer for many many , calculations. The workstation offer many capabilities similar to the midsized main frames, such as designing car engines and intricate mechanical functions. The workstations have incredible graphic capabilities witch has helped catch the public's eye. The capabilities of a low end workstation overlap those of a high end desktop microcomputer.
[edit] G4
The PowerPC G4, architected by Apple, Motorola and IBM, is the first microprocessor that can deliver a sustained performance of over one gigaflop — and in fact, has a theoretical peak performance of 5.3 gigaflops.
That’s pretty phenomenal when you consider the fact that it was so few years ago that the University of California at Irvine’s Aeneas Project, for instance, custom-built a one-gigaflops supercomputer for $50,000. Just think how many Power Mac G4s and PowerBook G4s you can buy with that kind of money.
[edit] The Velocity Engine
The secret of the PowerPC G4’s phenomenal performance is its aptly named Velocity Engine. It’s the heart of a supercomputer miniaturized onto a sliver of silicon. The Velocity Engine can process data in 128-bit chunks, instead of the smaller 32-bit or 64-bit chunks used in traditional processors (it’s the 128-bit vector processing technology used in scientific supercomputers — except that we’ve added 162 new instructions to speed up computations).
In addition, the PowerPC G4 can perform four (in some cases eight) 32-bit floating-point calculations in a single cycle — two to four times faster than traditional processors.
The PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine works with the PowerPC architecture to accelerate the data-intensive processing required by next-generation video, voice and graphics applications. Among the G4 key features is a vector permute function capable of rearranging data in the registers — a priceless benefit when converting data from one format to another (often necessary with voice, video and graphics apps, which typically need to save data in a number of different formats).
These vector processing acceleration advantages give the G4 microprocessor a significant edge when it comes to fast visualization of large data sets, and intensive math for real-time simulations. Making the PowerPC G4 perfect for everything from digital video, graphics and 3D games to astronomy, the biosciences and predictive modeling.
[edit] The New G5
Running at speeds up to 3GHz, Mac Pro not only completes the Mac transition to Intel processors but delivers advanced performance, workstation graphics, and up to 4.9 million possible configurations.
Ushering in a new era of outstanding performance, Mac Pro introduces the 64-bit Dual-Core Intel Xeon “Woodcrest” processor to the Mac lineup. A state-of-the-art processor, it makes Mac Pro one of the fastest desktop computers on the planet. Every Mac Pro in the lineup features two of the newest Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors. Two dual-cores. One powerful quad workstation. And you get to decide how fast it flies: 2GHz, 2.66GHz, or 3GHz. And at 3GHz, the Mac Pro runs up to 2x faster than the Power Mac G5 Quad.(1)
The brilliantly redesigned Mac Pro enclosure accommodates up to four drives and 2TB of storage; offers 8 DIMM slots to fill with up to 16GB of RAM; provides up to two SuperDrives. You also have four PCI Express slots, and more I/O ports — including two additional ports up front.
Three stellar graphics card options lets you choose the card that meets your specific needs. And every one lets you connect up to two displays, including one 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display. Mac Pro: the unique solution for high-performance graphics.
[edit] What is a Microprocessor?
A microprocessor (microscopic processor or processor on a chip) is the miniaturized circuitry of a computer processor -- the CPU, the part that processes, or manipulates, data into information. Microprocessors technology has taken a once bulky series of switches and miniaturized powerful electronic circuitry to be able to fit in personal computers, cell phones, pda's, and other popular devices. When referring to microprocessors, people are usually talking about the CPU, which is made up of at least one microprocessor that handles the chief "brain" functions.
According to scientific law, the speed of microprocessors will increase rapidly from year to year, and you can see evidence of this as current technology becomes outdated very quickly. Microprocessors are necessary in almost any engineering project. Circuit board design may depend on a specific microprocessor construction that can be supplied through contract manufacturing, and outsourced services.
Some examples of Microprocessor brands are:
- Pentium 4 Processor
- G4 by Macintosh
- G5 by Macintosh
