Broadway (processor) (original) (raw)

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32-bit CPU for the Wii

Broadway

IBM Broadway microprocessor from the inside of a Wii. The reference to Canada in the picture is related to where it was packaged i.e. by IBM Canada in Bromont.
General information
Launched 2006
Discontinued October 22nd, 2013
Designed by IBM and Nintendo
Common manufacturer IBM Microelectronics
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate 729 MHz
Cache
L1 cache 32/32 kB
L2 cache 256 kB
Architecture and classification
Application Wii
Technology node 90 nm (2006–2007), 65 nm (2007–2013)
Microarchitecture PowerPC G3
Instruction set PowerPC (PowerPC ISA 1.10)
Physical specifications
Cores 1
GPU Hollywood
Products, models, variants
Variant PowerPC 750CL
History
Predecessor Gekko
Successor Espresso

Broadway is the codename of the 32-bit central processing unit (CPU) used in Nintendo's Wii home video game console. It was designed by IBM, and was initially produced using a 90 nm SOI process and later produced with a 65 nm SOI process.

According to IBM, the processor consumes 20% less power than its predecessor, the 180 nm Gekko used in the GameCube video game console.[1]

Broadway was produced by IBM at their semiconductor development and manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, New York (now owned by GlobalFoundries). The bond, assembly, and test operation for the Broadway module was performed at the IBM facility in Bromont, Quebec. Very few official details have been released to the public by Nintendo or IBM; unofficial reports claim it is derived from the 486 MHz Gekko architecture used in the GameCube and runs 50% faster at 729 MHz.[2]

The PowerPC 750CL, released in 2006, is a stock CPU offered by IBM; it is virtually identical to Broadway, but was provided in multiple clock speed variants (ranging from 400 MHz–1000 MHz.)[3][4][5]

Broadway
39X6735, 2006
90 nm, 21×21 mm package

Broadway A
43E4048, 2006-2007
90 nm, 21×21 mm package

Broadway B
43E5070, 2007-2008
65 nm, 21×21 mm package

Broadway-1
48J2662, 2008-2016
65 nm, 15×15 mm package

These images are illustrations and only approximately to scale.

  1. ^ IBM (2006). "IBM Ships First Microchips for Nintendo's Wii Video Game System". Archived from the original on October 11, 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-08.
  2. ^ "Wii Technical Specification, Wii". Archived from the original on 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  3. ^ "IBM Broadway RISC Microprocessor User's Manual, v0.6" (PDF). p. 61. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-04.
  4. ^ "IBM PowerPC 750CL Microprocessor Revision Level DD2.x" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-03.
  5. ^ "IBM PowerPC 750CL RISC Microprocessor User's Manual" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-15.
  6. ^ "Wii U CPU |Espresso| die Photo - Courtesy of Chipworks".