# PowerPC 604

> second PowerPC generation

**Wikidata**: [Q2087354](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2087354)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/powerpc-604

## Summary  
The PowerPC 604 is a microprocessor that belongs to the second generation of the PowerPC 600 family of CPUs. It is classified as a microprocessor and is a direct subclass of the PowerPC 600 microarchitecture.

## Key Facts  
- The PowerPC 604 is an **instance of a microprocessor**.【source】  
- It is a **subclass of the PowerPC 600** microarchitecture family.【source】  
- The processor is described in Wikidata as the **“second PowerPC generation.”**【source】  
- An official image shows the chip on an **Apple PowerMac processor card (Motorola XPC604ERX200PD).**【source】  
- The entry has **5 Wikidata sitelinks** linking to language versions of its Wikipedia article.【source】  
- Its **Commons category** is “PowerPC 604.”【source】  
- Wikipedia language editions that cover the PowerPC 604 include **French, Italian, Japanese, and Polish.**【source】  
- The Google Knowledge Graph identifier for the PowerPC 604 is **/g/1210m97l.**【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the PowerPC 604?  
**A:** The PowerPC 604 is a microprocessor that forms the second generation of the PowerPC 600 series, continuing the PowerPC architecture lineage.  

### Q: Which microarchitecture does the PowerPC 604 belong to?  
**A:** It is a direct subclass of the **PowerPC 600** microarchitecture.  

### Q: Where was the PowerPC 604 used?  
**A:** An image of the chip shows it mounted on an **Apple PowerMac processor card** (Motorola XPC604ERX200PD), indicating its deployment in Apple Macintosh systems.  

### Q: How many language versions of its Wikipedia article exist?  
**A:** The PowerPC 604 has Wikipedia entries in **French, Italian, Japanese, and Polish**, plus the English version.  

### Q: What identifier does Google use for the PowerPC 604?  
**A:** Google’s Knowledge Graph lists the processor under the ID **/g/1210m97l**.  

## Why It Matters  
The PowerPC 604 represents a pivotal step in the evolution of the PowerPC line, marking the transition from the original 600 series to a more advanced, second‑generation design. By building on the PowerPC 600 microarchitecture, the 604 delivered improved performance and efficiency that enabled its adoption in high‑end workstations and personal computers of its era, most notably in Apple’s PowerMac systems. Its presence on Apple’s processor cards illustrates the collaboration between Motorola (the chip’s designer) and Apple, a partnership that helped shape the early 1990s desktop computing landscape. Understanding the PowerPC 604 provides insight into the development trajectory of RISC‑based processors, the competitive dynamics of the microprocessor market at the time, and the technological foundations that influenced later CPU designs. For historians of computing and hardware enthusiasts, the 604 is a concrete example of how incremental architectural refinements can drive broader industry shifts.

## Notable For  
- **Second‑generation PowerPC design** within the PowerPC 600 family.  
- **Used in Apple PowerMac systems**, as evidenced by the Motorola XPC604ERX200PD processor card.  
- **Distinct Commons category** that aggregates media and documentation for the chip.  
- **Multilingual Wikipedia coverage**, reflecting its relevance across several language communities.  
- **Unique Google Knowledge Graph ID** (/g/1210m97l) that enables precise identification in knowledge‑base systems.  

## Body  

### Overview  
The PowerPC 604 is a **microprocessor** that continues the lineage of the PowerPC 600 series. It is officially classified as a **subclass of the PowerPC 600 microarchitecture** and is recognized as the **second generation** of this family.

### Architecture  
- Belongs to the **PowerPC 600** family, inheriting the RISC‑based design principles of its predecessor.  
- As a **subclass**, it introduces refinements over earlier 600‑series chips, though specific technical specifications are not detailed in the source material.  

### Historical Context  
- The designation “second PowerPC generation” situates the 604 in the early evolution of PowerPC CPUs, following the initial launch of the 600 series.  
- Its development was part of the broader collaboration between **Motorola** (the chip designer) and **Apple**, which integrated the processor into Macintosh hardware.  

### Usage in Apple Systems  
- The **Apple PowerMac processor card** image (Motorola XPC604ERX200PD) demonstrates a real‑world implementation of the PowerPC 604.  
- This deployment highlights the chip’s role in powering high‑performance desktop computers during its era.  

### Documentation and References  
- The processor’s **Wikidata entry** provides a concise description and links to five language‑specific Wikipedia pages.  
- Media related to the chip is organized under the **Commons category “PowerPC 604.”**  
- The **Google Knowledge Graph ID** (/g/1210m97l) offers a unique identifier for integration into knowledge‑base applications.  

### Legacy  
While newer generations have superseded it, the PowerPC 604 remains a reference point for studying the progression of RISC microprocessors and the early partnership between hardware manufacturers and computer vendors that shaped modern computing platforms.