> They also made it a four-CPU system, with all CPUs operating in the same 64-bit global address space. It also needed a good 1,000 amperes at 5 volts delivered to the backplane through a dozen welding cables.
These days you just use 12v and convert right next to or on die - but we are still in that range of amps for big chips!
Take for example a 3090 at 500w @12v, the core is running at 1.056v, that’s 473 Amps!
That goes a long way to explaining the pin count on those chips! The idea of that much current running through a bunch of angelhair thickness gold wire is horrifying.
That is absolutely terrifying.