PowerPC Archives

Winsage

April 7, 2026

Apple’s chips are the core of a new landscape, but its biggest win is Windows

Apple introduced its M1 Apple Silicon systems in late 2020, which received admiration but raised concerns due to a restrictive ecosystem. Over five years, Apple’s architecture has evolved, addressing challenges like gigabit Wi-Fi and high-speed expansion, yet it remains focused on desktops and laptops. The anticipated MacBook Neo, lacking an M-type System on Chip, has created apprehension within the Windows ecosystem. Currently, no Windows laptop can match the MacBook Neo in hardware quality and startup experience, while macOS offers a more tranquil workspace compared to the distractions of Windows 11. Apple has effectively utilized advancements in processor technology and manufacturing control to produce efficient chips and maintain a coherent ecosystem, making its products increasingly accessible. In contrast, Windows OEMs face challenges with component sourcing, build quality, and reliance on bloatware. There is potential for Microsoft to create a Windows Neo variant that meets user needs, while the sustainability of current business models for Windows OEMs is uncertain.

Tech Optimizer

April 5, 2026

Linux 7.0 Cuts PostgreSQL Performance in Half

An AWS engineer reported a significant drop in PostgreSQL throughput on Linux 7.0, with performance reduced to approximately half of its previous capability. Benchmark tests showed that the removal of the PREEMPT_NONE scheduling option was the main cause of this regression. On a 96-vCPU Graviton4 instance, throughput measured at just 0.51x compared to earlier kernel versions. Salvatore Dipietro from Amazon/AWS conducted benchmarking analysis of PostgreSQL 17, revealing that Linux 7.0 delivered only 0.51x the throughput of its predecessors. The root cause was traced to kernel commit 7dadeaa6e851, which eliminated PREEMPT_NONE as the default option, leading to increased contention due to the new PREEMPT_LAZY model. Profiling data indicated that 55% of CPU time is consumed by spinning in PostgreSQL’s spinlock, causing significant performance degradation. When a revert patch was applied, throughput rebounded to 1.94x the baseline. The decision to restrict preemption modes in Linux 7.0 aimed to address issues within the kernel's scheduling model. Dipietro proposed a patch to restore PREEMPT_NONE, but kernel developers suggested PostgreSQL adopt the rseq time slice extension instead. Database operators running PostgreSQL on Linux face potential performance reductions with the upgrade to Linux 7.0.

Winsage

September 21, 2025

Microsoft’s pivotal Windows NT 3.5 release made it a serious contender, 31 years ago today

Today marks the 31st anniversary of the public release of Windows NT 3.5. Windows NT was targeted at the enterprise sector, contrasting with Windows 3.1, which was aimed at casual users. It was a fully 32-bit operating system requiring a minimum of an 80386 processor and 12MB of RAM. Windows NT featured cross-platform capabilities, with builds for various architectures, including MIPS, DEC's Alpha, and PowerPC. The user interface of NT 3.5 resembled Windows 3.1, which may have affected its adoption among professional users. Nine months after NT 3.5, Windows NT 3.51 was released, enhancing compatibility with Windows 95 applications. Windows NT 4.0, released in 1996, integrated the Windows 95 shell, leading to Windows 2000 and ultimately Windows XP in 2001, which unified workstation and consumer markets under a single NT codebase. Windows NT 3.5 was a crucial transitional release that laid the groundwork for future operating systems.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

macOS 26 Tahoe Is the End of the Road for Intel Macs

Apple announced that macOS 26, also known as macOS Tahoe 26, will be the last version to support Intel-based Macs. The final Mac with an Intel processor was the previous-generation Mac Pro, succeeded by the M2 Ultra-powered Mac Pro in 2023. The transition to Apple Silicon began with the M1 series in 2020 and continued with the M2, M3, and M4 series. Critical security updates for Intel-based Macs will continue for a limited time but will eventually cease. macOS 27 will only support Apple Silicon Macs with M1 and later processors. Not all Macs running the current version, Sequoia, will be eligible for the Tahoe update; only those with Intel's ninth-generation Coffee Lake and Cascade Lake-based Xeon-W processors can run Tahoe. This includes specific models like the Mac Pro (2019) and MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019). Many Intel Macs, including various 2018 and older models, will not be able to upgrade to Tahoe. Apple's transition from Intel began in 2005, moving from PowerPC processors.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

Run Xbox 360 Games On Your PC With XenonDecomp

XenonRecomp is a project focused on preserving Xbox 360 games by transforming them into native x86 software, enhancing their graphical fidelity. The Xbox Series X currently supports only 632 out of 2,155 Xbox 360 titles through emulation. XenonRecomp faces challenges such as understanding system architecture, supporting PowerPC instructions, and addressing the lack of MMIO support. Developers must also obtain assets from legal copies of the original games. The game Sonic Unleashed has been successfully ported using this method, with enhancements demonstrated by Modern Vintage Gamer.

Winsage

March 5, 2025

Nintendo GameCube modified to run PowerPC Windows NT and Doom

A new build of Windows NT for PowerPC, named Entii for WorkCubes, has been optimized for the Nintendo GameCube and Wii consoles, available on GitHub. This build theoretically supports the Wii U but does not utilize its additional PowerPC cores or enhanced GPU capabilities. YouTuber @emukid_id has showcased the installation and functionality of this build, including a gameplay session of The Ultimate Doom at a low resolution. The build supports various peripherals, including a GameCube controller with a keyboard, and utilizes the standard USB ports on the Wii and Wii U for expanded input options. However, online functionalities are limited, and compatibility with modern web pages is poor. The GameCube has 24MB of system RAM, while the Wii has a CPU-overclocked architecture and upgraded GPU. Future support for NT 3.5 on the Wii U could enhance the experience by utilizing its 1GB of RAM and triple CPU cores.

AppWizard

March 2, 2025

Full Xbox 360 decompilation for PC debuts with Sonic Unleashed Recompiled

Sonic Unleashed has been ported to PC as Unleashed Recompiled, nearly sixteen years after its original release in November 2008. This port was developed by fans using XenonRecomp and XenosRecomp tools to convert PowerPC code and Xenos shaders into x86 PC-compatible C++ and HLSL code. This breakthrough allows for the possibility of recompiling any Xbox 360 title for native PC play, including those not supported by Xbox Backward Compatibility. Players must have legally obtained copies of the original Xbox 360 titles to use this port. Unleashed Recompiled features advanced graphics and gameplay modifications through tools like HedgeModManager, making the PC platform a more customizable option for playing Xbox 360 games.

Winsage

February 27, 2025

Nintendo’s GameCube Gets a Productivity Makeover Thanks to a PowerPC Windows NT Port

Rairii has successfully ported Windows NT 3.51 to the Nintendo GameCube, allowing the console to run this operating system. The project supports Windows NT 3.51 RTM and higher, while earlier beta versions require kernel patches. Windows NT 3.5 is incompatible due to its support for the PowerPC 601 architecture. The GameCube, powered by an IBM PowerPC "Gekko" chip, can now function as a desktop computer with a graphical user interface, controlled via a standard controller or keyboard. The project includes support for the GameCube's keyboard controller accessory and a mapping system for navigation. Some USB device support is available, but without hotplugging functionality. Instructions for the project are provided in a GitHub repository, and users need specific hardware to participate.