Microprocessor milestone for IBM
1 min read
IBM has announced the shipment of its 50 millionth processor for Nintendo's Wii game system.
The chips were initially supplied by IBM in 2006 and are manufactured at IBM's fabrication facility in New York. Based on IBM's Power Architecture - a semiconductor design platform that allows for scalability and design customisation - the chip incorporates IBM's silicon on insulator (SOI) technology. This offers improvements in performance and reduced power consumption.
Brian Connors, IBM Microelectronics' vice president, games and power platforms, said: "We are proud to have achieved this important milestone in supplying the microprocessor for Nintendo's Wii system, which has brought millions of new consumers to the gaming experience. IBM has a long, successful relationship with Nintendo combining silicon technology with game system creativity to deliver winning products."
Genyo Takeda, Nintendo's general manager of integrated research and development, added: "We value IBM's ongoing technology contributions and commitment to Nintendo. IBM's Power Architecture provided a flexible platform for developing a custom processor to enable the Wii console's unique design and IBM has been a valued partner for the processors in support of the growing demand for the Wii."
