I disagree...
The only thing hampering the P4 at this point is the lack of SSE/SSE2 optimized software. Since even AMD is going to SSE for their K8 series... it's only a (short) matter of time until more optimized software is out there. With SSE optimization, the P4 mops the floor with the K7... my real interest is on SSE optimized software, how will the K8 and P4 compare. AMD's pretty much stuck at 1.2 GHz with the K7, although the new core will give them a little more life. Intel's been stuck at 1GHz with the P3, although Coppermine may have a 1.13GHz in it, and Tualatin may go as high as 1.3GHz if they're lucky... but the days of the P3 and K7 are nearing an end... The K6 was really more a generation 5.5 CPU, just like the K7 is really more a generation 6.5 CPU... the P4 and K8 are true seventh generation new architectures... Furthermore, as the die size of the P4 shrinks, there will be silicon real estate to reverse some of the compromises made in its original design (if there is a competitive need). The P4 is a far more visionary design than the K7, although I'll grant you some compromises were made for the sake of pushing the envelope. Bottom line is in a year the K7 is going to be puffing and blowing compared to the P4, which will only then be hitting its stride with new optimized software...
Looking to the future of the P4... we know that it moves to 0.13 micron with a chip called "Northwood." There are changes from "Coppermine" P3's to "Tualatin" P3's according to various sites around the net... so Intel apparently didn't just do a dumb shrink of the coppermine to make the Tualatin... What changes will be incorporated into the Northwood core. Some sites (which unfortunately seem to revolve around The Register) have also mentioned another code name, "Prescott." Does anyone know if this is another P4 revision or if it's an IA-64 product???
The bottom line for me is this... If AMD's competitive position is so far superior to Intel's, then why are selling their top-of-the-line chips for under $300, whereas Intel can command over $700 for theirs??? Contrary to popular myth, AMD is a corporation out to make money. The driving force in a capitalist economy is to maximize profits... AMD clearly isn't doing that if your hypothesis is correct... so, "something's out of joint..." |
