Comments on: While Apple Refreshes, the “fastest processor in the world” was released http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html 20 minutes into the future... Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:45:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Jared Norman http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-63125 Jared Norman Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:30:11 +0000 http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-63125 <p>Only required to release your changes in source form if you distribute!</p> Only required to release your changes in source form if you distribute!

]]> By: Steve Schnepp http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-56759 Steve Schnepp Fri, 12 Oct 2007 05:47:06 +0000 http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-56759 <p>As seen in http://www.sun.com/processors/UltraSPARC-T2/specs.xml each core is only capable of 8 thread. It states "Up to 8 cores, up to 64 threads per processor" (not per core).</p> As seen in http://www.sun.com/processors/UltraSPARC-T2/specs.xml each core is only capable of 8 thread. It states “Up to 8 cores, up to 64 threads per processor” (not per core).

]]> By: Samuel A. Falvo II http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-50445 Samuel A. Falvo II Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:56:49 +0000 http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-50445 <p>Open hardware is becoming increasingly relevant. One reason why Sun chose to GPL the core is to get a wider acceptance. You don't need to license from Sun to produce this chip. There is no paperwork involved. Just download the VHDL/Verilog and go.</p> <p>Also, modifications to the architecture are also released to the community. So, for example, if I download and alter the T2 for my own purposes, I'm obligated by the terms of the GPL to make <em>my</em> alterations available in source form. Now, someone else can take <em>my</em> processor and run wild with it as well.</p> Open hardware is becoming increasingly relevant. One reason why Sun chose to GPL the core is to get a wider acceptance. You don’t need to license from Sun to produce this chip. There is no paperwork involved. Just download the VHDL/Verilog and go.

Also, modifications to the architecture are also released to the community. So, for example, if I download and alter the T2 for my own purposes, I’m obligated by the terms of the GPL to make my alterations available in source form. Now, someone else can take my processor and run wild with it as well.

]]> By: dru http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-50054 dru Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:26:08 +0000 http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-50054 <p>Yeah, dual-proc would be interesting. I think that is now possible with the new T2 chip. The earlier chip was not designed for SMP.</p> <p>About the GPL. That is just hype/publicity. Sun has always licensed their designs to other manufacturers and avoided having their own fab. The fact that the design is now open under a viral license that forces the modifier to give their design changes to Sun... is a non-event.</p> Yeah, dual-proc would be interesting. I think that is now possible with the new T2 chip. The earlier chip was not designed for SMP.

About the GPL. That is just hype/publicity. Sun has always licensed their designs to other manufacturers and avoided having their own fab. The fact that the design is now open under a viral license that forces the modifier to give their design changes to Sun… is a non-event.

]]> By: Ryan M. http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-49929 Ryan M. Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:44:44 +0000 http://www.xxeo.com/archives/2007/08/08/while-apple-refreshes-the-fastest-processor-in-the-world-was-released.html#comment-49929 <p>If these chips come anywhere near their potential it should be pretty cool. I wouldn't mind running a dual-proc box that supports 1k "simultaneous" threads and would give me a SPECint around 150... </p> <p>My only question is what's the point of releasing the chip under GPL? How many people (or even companies) have a 65nm fab to do anything with it?</p> If these chips come anywhere near their potential it should be pretty cool. I wouldn’t mind running a dual-proc box that supports 1k “simultaneous” threads and would give me a SPECint around 150…

My only question is what’s the point of releasing the chip under GPL? How many people (or even companies) have a 65nm fab to do anything with it?

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