IBM pumps PowerPC up to 500MHz

IBM's microelectronics division has announced a new the PowerPC core, based on the company's 0.18-micron copper process.

The PowerPC 440, introduced at the Microprocessor Forum in Silicon Valley, is a 32-bit core designed to run at up to 550MHz. IBM says the 440 can deliver three times the performance of the PowerPC 405 core running at 266 MHz. At 400 MHz, the new core will deliver 720 Dhrystone 2.1 Mips.

Design work for systems based on the 440 can begin now, using simulation models. Sample silicon is expected in the second quarter of next year, with volume manufacturing to begin in the fourth quarter.

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