Don Luca Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Nintendo GameCube Technical Specifications * MPU ("Microprocessor Unit")* : Custom IBM Power PC "Gekko" * Manufacturing process : 0.18 micron IBM copper wire technology * Clock frequency : 485 MHz * CPU capacity : 1125 Dmips (Dhrystone 2.1) * Internal data precision : 32-bit Integer & 64-bit floating-point * External bus : 1.3GB/second peak bandwidth (32-bit address space, 64-bit data bus 162 MHz clock) * Internal cache L1: instruction 32KB, data 32KB (8 way) L2: 256KB (2 way) * System LSI : Custom ATI/Nintendo "Flipper" * Embedded frame buffer : Approx. 2MB sustainable latency : 6.2ns (1T-SRAM) * Embedded texture cache : Approx. 1MB sustainable latency : 6.2ns (1T-SRAM) * Texture read bandwidth : 10.4GB/second (Peak) * Main memory bandwidth : 2.6GB/second (Peak) * Pixel depth : 24-bit color, 24-bit Z buffer * Image processing functions : Fog, subpixel anti-aliasing, 8 hardware lights, alpha blending, virtual texture design, multi-texturing, bump mapping, environment mapping, MIP mapping, bilinear filtering, trilinear filtering, anisotropic filtering, real-time hardware texture decompression (S3TC), real-time decompression of display list, HW 3-line deflickering filter. Nintendo GameCube Physical Specifications * Sound Processor : custom Macronix 16-bit DSP * Instruction Memory : 8KB RAM + 8KB ROM * Data Memory : 8KB RAM + 4KB ROM * Clock Frequency : 81 MHz * Performance : 64 simultaneous channels, ADPCM encoding * Sampling Frequency : 48KHz * System Floating-point Arithmetic Capability : 10.5 GFLOPS (Peak) (MPU, Geometry Engine, HW Lighting Total) * Real-world polygon : 6 million to 12 million polygons/second (Peak) (Assuming actual game conditions with complex models, fully textured, fully lit, etc.) * System Memory : 40MB * Main Memory : 24 MB MoSys 1T-SRAM, Approximately 10ns Sustainable Latency * A-Memory : 16MB (81MHz DRAM) * Disc Drive : CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) System * Average Access Time : 128ms * Data Transfer Speed : 16Mbps to 25Mbps * Media : 3 inch NINTENDO GAMECUBE Disc based on Matsu{censored}a's Optical Disc Technology, Approx. 1.5GB Capacity * Input/Output : Controller Port x4, Memory Card Slot x2, Analog AV Output x1, High-Speed Serial Port x1, High-speed Parallel Port x1 * In select models - Digital AV Output x1 ( click here for more information), High-Speed Serial Port x2 The above mentioned specs looks like a Mac... isn't it? We have a Power PC processor with an ATI Video Card... We may give it a try!!! After all... they managed to run Linux on the Xbox... why can't we run OSX on GameCube? All we need is: A modded Game Cube, with a DVD reader A Mac OSX PPC preinstalled image on a DVD Possibly, an Hard Disk to install OSX (if the preinstalled image fails) A GameCube Keyboard (don't know if the controller is recognized as Mouse...) A programmer to write a bootloader Load of time Please, share your opinion here!!! We might start the X-Cube project!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iMaurice Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 mini dvd-r's only hold 1.4gb of space osx would have to fit in there i was remembering though, remember when microsoft bought g5 macs to develop xbox 360 games because the processor is so similar? id actually like to see osx on xbox 360, and you can fit osx on a normal dvd microsoft though took measures to stop linux and unix from working on the 360, thats the drawback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensonb Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Cool idea, but you're going to need a lot of custom hardware and tinkering I suggest waiting for Wii. USB ports on that, so you can just plug your mouse and keyboard (At least) in that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Luca Posted June 3, 2006 Author Share Posted June 3, 2006 mini dvd-r's only hold 1.4gb of spaceosx would have to fit in there All we need is: * A modded Game Cube, with a DVD reader I know it exists a mod to change the miniDVD reader and put a normal DVD so you can also play copied GC games and it is also quite diffused... Of course it will require a lot of HW modifications... but if it works it would be a a great achievement!!! If anyone is interested in doing this please let me know, so we can start the project!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scj312 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 will need a bunch more ram.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New001 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Nintendo GameCube Technical Specifications * MPU ("Microprocessor Unit")* : Custom IBM Power PC "Gekko" * Manufacturing process : 0.18 micron IBM copper wire technology * Clock frequency : 485 MHz * CPU capacity : 1125 Dmips (Dhrystone 2.1) * Internal data precision : 32-bit Integer & 64-bit floating-point * External bus : 1.3GB/second peak bandwidth (32-bit address space, 64-bit data bus 162 MHz clock) * Internal cache L1: instruction 32KB, data 32KB (8 way) L2: 256KB (2 way) * System LSI : Custom ATI/Nintendo "Flipper" * Embedded frame buffer : Approx. 2MB sustainable latency : 6.2ns (1T-SRAM) * Embedded texture cache : Approx. 1MB sustainable latency : 6.2ns (1T-SRAM) * Texture read bandwidth : 10.4GB/second (Peak) * Main memory bandwidth : 2.6GB/second (Peak) * Pixel depth : 24-bit color, 24-bit Z buffer * Image processing functions : Fog, subpixel anti-aliasing, 8 hardware lights, alpha blending, virtual texture design, multi-texturing, bump mapping, environment mapping, MIP mapping, bilinear filtering, trilinear filtering, anisotropic filtering, real-time hardware texture decompression (S3TC), real-time decompression of display list, HW 3-line deflickering filter. Nintendo GameCube Physical Specifications * Sound Processor : custom Macronix 16-bit DSP * Instruction Memory : 8KB RAM + 8KB ROM * Data Memory : 8KB RAM + 4KB ROM * Clock Frequency : 81 MHz * Performance : 64 simultaneous channels, ADPCM encoding * Sampling Frequency : 48KHz * System Floating-point Arithmetic Capability : 10.5 GFLOPS (Peak) (MPU, Geometry Engine, HW Lighting Total) * Real-world polygon : 6 million to 12 million polygons/second (Peak) (Assuming actual game conditions with complex models, fully textured, fully lit, etc.) * System Memory : 40MB * Main Memory : 24 MB MoSys 1T-SRAM, Approximately 10ns Sustainable Latency * A-Memory : 16MB (81MHz DRAM) * Disc Drive : CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) System * Average Access Time : 128ms * Data Transfer Speed : 16Mbps to 25Mbps * Media : 3 inch NINTENDO GAMECUBE Disc based on Matsu{censored}a's Optical Disc Technology, Approx. 1.5GB Capacity * Input/Output : Controller Port x4, Memory Card Slot x2, Analog AV Output x1, High-Speed Serial Port x1, High-speed Parallel Port x1 * In select models - Digital AV Output x1 ( click here for more information), High-Speed Serial Port x2 The above mentioned specs looks like a Mac... isn't it? We have a Power PC processor with an ATI Video Card... We may give it a try!!! After all... they managed to run Linux on the Xbox... why can't we run OSX on GameCube? All we need is: A modded Game Cube, with a DVD reader A Mac OSX PPC preinstalled image on a DVD Possibly, an Hard Disk to install OSX (if the preinstalled image fails) A GameCube Keyboard (don't know if the controller is recognized as Mouse...) A programmer to write a bootloader Load of time Please, share your opinion here!!! We might start the X-Cube project!!! Heh, neat idea. Nobody brought up that the Nintendo Game Cube has no Open Firmware Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Luca Posted June 3, 2006 Author Share Posted June 3, 2006 Heh, neat idea. Nobody brought up that the Nintendo Game Cube has no Open Firmware ... That's right.... i missed that... btw, can't we program some sort of bootlader that does something like Windows's chain0 leaving GC's firmware unmodified? on Xbox they loaded Linux through a bug of 007 game... they loaded instead of a Save Game the linux boot file and without changing Xbox firmware... Also, the RAM is a problem... I think i will open my Cube and see what kind of Ram is installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New001 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 ... :pirate2: That's right.... i missed that... btw, can't we program some sort of bootlader that does something like Windows's chain0 leaving GC's firmware unmodified? on Xbox they loaded Linux through a bug of 007 game... they loaded instead of a Save Game the linux boot file and without changing Xbox firmware... Also, the RAM is a problem... I think i will open my Cube and see what kind of Ram is installed. Lol. I think the Xbox runs some sort of Windows 2000 system-ish thing, so it has BIOS. I might be thinking that Open Firmware does just a bit more that being a bootloader though. Edit: Heh, remembered something. Well, you know how Mac graphics cards don't work in PCs and Vice Versa? Well, Mac graphics cards have to communicate with Open Firmaware to work So that's also something to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRP Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 I think gotta look at how much work the Linux-on-a-GameCube project entailed to appreciate just how much harder it would be to get OS X on it. It's a LOT of work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeezoflip Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 How bout OSx86 on a Xbox360, or PS2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedragon1971 Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 You seem to be assuming way too much. Just because it uses a version of a PowerPC chip doesn't mean that chip would be capable of running OS X. I'm fairly certain that the GameCube uses a very limited version of the PowerPC specs. Also, it has far too little RAM to run OS X and no capability of installing a hard drive. Just because the graphics chip is made by ATI doesn't mean that it would be supported by OS X either. It is a CUSTOM chip made just for the GameCube, and it only has a tiny amount of RAM as well. Yes, while at first glance the GameCube looks like a viable system for running OS X, there are far too many restrictions on it to make it viable. By the time you modified it enough to even get close to running OS X, you might as well just pick up a used G3 or G4 system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Luca Posted June 4, 2006 Author Share Posted June 4, 2006 I don't mean using a Game Cube as an Hackintosh... it was only a sort of challenge... I know it has little RAM and many limitations... i don't want to transform a GameCube into a G4 or G3. You know... this is one of those challenges that gives you nothing, but if you succeed, then you have left a sign behind you... you can tell the world "I have OSX running on my Game Cube!!!" which basically means nothing... but for me means everything. However... I've just throw out an idea. I thought it is a cool thing we can do... I'll never start this project alone, because I can't go far by myself. If there are people who want to join me, then I'll be happy to start this crazy project. And if we fail, we can say that at least we tried. By the way... probably Intel OSX on Xbox360 is far more probable than PPC OSX on Game Cube, but since I don't own an Xbox360, I can't give any kind of effort... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensonb Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Xbox 360 could work thanks to its PowerPC G5 and it's high specs. But as for OSX on a Nitendo, Wii is definitely your best bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Luca Posted June 4, 2006 Author Share Posted June 4, 2006 Well, the fact is that here in Italy A Game Cube with two games costs 99 €... If we broke something, we've lost "only" 99€... Nintendo Wii isn't released but it seems that it'll cost around 299 $... IMHO, i think we may start "playing" around with the cube, until Wii is released and it will be cheaper... let's say I'll buy it when it will cost around 150 €... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensonb Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Actually Wii will cost no more than US$250, confirmed by Nintendo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Luca Posted June 4, 2006 Author Share Posted June 4, 2006 ...which is still too much for a console, to me... ...if it has all the features a pc has, then it's allright... but if it is only for gaming nope... For example... the PSP costs around 250 €... but it's a portable media Player!!!! I think that it's worth it. I'll wait the Wii's price come down to 150 €. Then, if I have enough money, I'll buy it. btw, does anyone know if the Wii comes with an HD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensonb Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Comes with a 512MB flash drive, but no HDD. There's whispers of an attachable USB one, but that doesn't really suit this project, does it? Also, I'm pretty certain Wii will get up to more than just games. Some of the things coming out for it are basically non-gaming apps (An art program for one), and with WiiConnect24, I daresay Virtual COnsole will be joined by other built-in download-for-use stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Bond Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 That's right.... i missed that...btw, can't we program some sort of bootlader that does something like Windows's chain0 leaving GC's firmware unmodified? on Xbox they loaded Linux through a bug of 007 game... they loaded instead of a Save Game the linux boot file and without changing Xbox firmware... Also, the RAM is a problem... I think i will open my Cube and see what kind of Ram is installed. Just a couple of things... Like many people have mentioned, the Gamecube is really nothing like your run of the mill G4 computer. Forgetting about Ram limitations, and space, you have to realise that OpenFirmware is needed to give OS X a chance of booting. Of course, if you had a hell of a lot of time, you could follow a similar root to what PearPC took, and try to adapt some sort of implementation of OpenBIOS (an Open Firmware implementation). But really, it doesn't seem feasable in the slightest. As a side note, the original Xbox 007/Splinter Cell/Mechassault games all had a number of bugs that would enable a properly edited gamesave to trigger a buffer overflow, enabling a small linux adaptation to be loaded into memory. There was more to it then simply loading an xbox gamesave and running linux. The gamesave only commandeered the Xbox's hardware for *only* that moment; if you were to open the CD tray, or attempt to run anything, it wouldn't be possible, since you couldn't run any other unsigned code at that point in time. The whole softmod method relied on a number of other exploits which had to be carried out after the gamesave hack. So as you can see, it's not as easy as you think...it took a hell of a long time to identify these overflows and weaknesses. Xbox 360 could work thanks to its PowerPC G5 and it's high specs. Really, the PPC type chip is all the Xbox really has in common with a regular Mac. As with the gamecube, you still have to worry about OpenFirmware, the custom graphics chip, and most importantly, getting past the impenetrable wall of security. There's quite a few components that work together this time around, so something like an overflow is not as easy as with the original xbox. Check out the Xbox-Scene forums for some more info. This is why I find it pretty interesting, that Sony is so interested in having OS X capable of running on their PS3. Alot of work would have to be done, to custom tailor OS X to the PS3's unique platform. Though if they actually ended up getting the go-ahead for a PS3 version of OSX, you would be seeing the first "Mac" with Blu-ray support. Fin. *On the topic of Blu-Ray, who's side is Apple on? I'm guessing they're with the major Hollywood studios, because of Steve and Pixar?* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New001 Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Heh, also, the CPU in the Xbox 360 isn't capable to run OS X, it's too different than a G5, something I don't think it has is a branch predicting implementation. So, data instructions just woosh in/out of that CPU, so I'm not sure if it will be able to run OS X. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jensonb Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Isn't also like triple core or something stupid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iMaurice Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Heh, also, the CPU in the Xbox 360 isn't capable to run OS X, it's too different than a G5, something I don't think it has is a branch predicting implementation. So, data instructions just woosh in/out of that CPU, so I'm not sure if it will be able to run OS X. then why did microsoft use G5's to develop xbox 360 games? jw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedragon1971 Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 *On the topic of Blu-Ray, who's side is Apple on? I'm guessing they're with the major Hollywood studios, because of Steve and Pixar?* Apple long ago stated their support for Blu-Ray, so it's likely that we will see Blu-Ray drives in Macs before long, probably in the PowerMac replacements whenever they come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New001 Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 then why did microsoft use G5's to develop xbox 360 games?jw Well, forget what I said about it being too different. I think it's just that the G5 and Xbox 360 CPU are similar, just that the Xbox 360 CPU misses some parts that the G5 has, parts that OS X would most likely use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Bond Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Keep in mind, it would be a lot easier to adapt a G5 to run 360 code, than the other way around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 OS X could run on a GameCube. The onle problem would be the hard drive. Since the GameCube has no hard drive other than the memory stick, it wouldn't have enough room for the OS. If someone could hook up a hard drive to a GameCube and install OS X, it would probably run. Oh, and the RAM is a problem, too. Not enough RAM. OS 9 might run on it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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