The Enquirer has an article that points to a CNET interview with an exec at IBM , Ross Mauri.  In this article, Mr. Mauri mentions that the Power 6 chip (due in early- to mid-2007) will debut at somewhere between 4 and 5 GHz.  However, CNET has another interview with no less than the chief architect of the Power 6, Brad McCredie, which was published back in Febrary .  In THAT article, Mr. McCredie ALSO stated that the Power 6 would come out at somewhere between 4 and 5 GHz.  In addition, they expect to hit these performance levels while maintaining the same power envelope as they see for the Power 5 chip.

So, why is this significant?

Well, remember that AMD and IBM are research and development partners.  From what I understand, IBM is using a variant of the same socket 1207 interface that AMD is using for AM2.  The Power 6 core is due out in a time-frame slightly trailing the 65nM AMD chips, but still using 65nM tech.  We posted here that 65nM AMD chips had been spotted in Taiwan, and were hitting 2 GHz already, several months before release.  Add it all up, and it seems like there is a distinct possibility that IBM is going to use AMD to help iron the wrinkles out of their production process, and the 65nM chips might be some serious performers.

What do you think?  Am I taking some really good drugs?  Does Intel just completely own AMD until the end of time, or is AMD getting ready to strike back hard?  Tell me, in the forums!