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CPU generation worries
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CPU generation worries

I have recently read about the possible multiple-install of OS 10.4 for G3/G4 and G5 systems. Moreover, it brought me to think of the direction IBM and Apple are taking in next-generation POWER architecture CPU's.

One of the projects I am working on involves clustering machines (hopefully Macs) together to perform 'some tasks'.

I thought of this situation. Say the cluser has 500 G5 servers. Because of the change in the G5 architecture from G3/G4, most of the commercial software will not run optimally, unless they release recompiled versions. My software, as I have control over the binary generation, will.
Say the next generation of PowerPC comes along with the same optimisation issues. Following the (large) investment in G5's, the cluster is upgraded (or expanded piecemeal). Now the code won't work optimally on those systems. If it is recompiled, then the G5's will (possibly) not run optimally - unless multiple installs are made. You can see the logistical problem starting off here.
Moreover - what about XGrid - distributed processing, with the caveat that the distributed code isn't running optimally, or supply x-number of versions for x-number of PowerPC architectures? Both methods, compared to other cluster systems, don't fare too well.

Is there any meaning behind these architecture tweaks that have us, as developers, add more work to make up for these issues?

I thought IBM weren't Intel.

Regards,
Jose.
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