Mark Roulo (nothanks.delete@this.xxx.com) on July 22, 2022 11:20 am wrote:
> Doug S (foo.delete@this.bar.bar) on July 22, 2022 11:05 am wrote:
> > Mark Roulo (nothanks.delete@this.xxx.com) on July 22, 2022 9:48 am wrote:
> > > Ben T (ben.delete@this.noemail.com) on July 22, 2022 5:31 am wrote:
> > > > > what you describe is not the first, second or third highest priority
> > > > > things that would need to be solved, for this to be a 'thing'.
> > > >
> > > > What are the highest priority things needed for Apple to make a viable server?
> > > >
> > > > Three things I think are needed for a viable Apple server are:
> > > >
> > > > * inline ECC (Error Correction Code) for the LPDDR DRAM
> > > > * ECC for the caches and other large RAM blocks
> > > > * the same amount of verification that Intel and AMD do for their server chips
> > >
> > > Higher reliability makes sense.
> > >
> > > But, the M1 Ultra maxes out at 128 GB of DRAM.
> > >
> > > I don't know enough about the server market, but the servers my
> > > employer ships often have much more DRAM (1 TB is common).
> >
> >
> > It is possible to use denser LPDDR. They could manage 1 TB of LPDDR5 with the existing controllers.
> > I expect we'll see some higher density LPDDR5/5X used when Apple releases the new Mac Pro, since
> > 256 GB just isn't a reasonable max when the current x86 version allows for 1.5 TB.
> >
> > I don't see LPDDR as a reasonable alternative for a server. While replacing RAM isn't a concern
> > (just permanently map out pages where repeated ECC errors occur) the capacity limit probably is.
>
> I am pleased to hear that denser LPDDR is an option.
>
> My guess is that 1 TB is probably sufficient for enough servers that this wouldn't be a deal
> breaker for a product. You don't need to build a product that appeals to EVERYONE.
>
> I still don't think Apple wants to get into the server space so this is pretty hypothetical.
>


I think if Apple did get into servers it would be for internal consumption only, and they could make it work within the limits of capacity. For all we know they already are doing this at least at a prototype stage.

There is zero chance Apple ever makes servers to sell on the open market, so I agree this is hypothetical.