Will Intel Ship an x86-64bit Chip This Year?

Solid Paradox writes "According to The Register, American Technology Research predicts an x86-64-bit processor will 'soon' arrive from Intel and in another story, they also predict that Sun and IBM will be the major players in the future 64-bit boom. Meanwhile the Inquirer has a somewhat related article entitled Senior Intel PR man talks 64-bit extension talk, which follows their Pentium V will launch with 64-bit Windows Elements article that says that the chip is to be sampled internally this month."

Comments

Re:Itanium

[urmensch]

No, It is a new arch (Intel Architexture, IA64) - That's one of the big deals about the AMD 64 bit chip, it is x86 compatible.

Re:Pentium V

[JanneM]

Turbos? Yes, they're around, and quite common too. Difference is, they're not pushed as some kind of macho add-on anymore; instead, the technology is mainly used to improve efficiency (by, among other things, improving accelleration so you can use a smaller, more efficient engine and retain the performance you want). And among small diesels (common in Europe), I'd say turbo diesels are a lot more common than the non-turbocharged variety.

Re:Dumb question - deserves a straight answer

[Crypto Gnome]

The best answer to your question is : not necessarily faster. Variables in this equation include but are not limited to:

• good motherboard support
• good OS support
• advanced multi-bit path to ALL hardware interfaces (eg them newsystem buses which are mostly not yet vailable)
• good fast RAM
• software recompiled to the 64-bit CPU
• actual use of 'benefits' of 64-bit computing (eg consumes unearthly amounts of RAM)

For you and I, JimBob and JoeBlow, a good fast 32-bit system will kick much 64-bit arse. At least until

• full OS (and driver) support for 64-bit mode
• apps recompiled for 64-bit
• fast mother with fancy-schmancy ultra-wide ultra-fast system bus
• new cards (*especially* video) on said new bus