IBM PowerTune for G5

IBM says that its can be used to manage power consumption in the G5 processor, according to eWEEK. The new "PowerTune"-enabled processor could allow the G5 to be used in Apple laptops (not expected before the end of the year) and maybe used in a rumored version of the G5-iMac: "IBM's design goal with PowerTune is to balance performance and power consumption. In addition, because the "leakage current"–the amount of power that trickles away and is wasted–is significantly higher at finer process technologies, such as used for the 970FX, IBM developed PowerTune. The new design is more efficient than the older PowerPC 750FX, part of the G4 family of processors. For example, PowerTune-savvy chip can be asked to drop down to a half or a quarter the rated frequency, or even down into a 'deep nap' state where the chip can run at 1/64 of the rated frequency."

by MacNN Staff