Michael -
The MMX (Multimedia Extensions) are an enhancement of the x86 instruction set. These new instructions include some esoteric functions such as Multiply-Accumulate (mutliply two numbers and add them to the contents of the accumulator), and they come in different flavors such as 16 bit words, 32 bit words, etc. All told, there are about 54 or so of these.
The Mutiply-Accumulate function will now be a hardware function and should execute faster on the Pentium MMX. Previously, multimedia applications, which use this type of instruction quite often, had to perform this algorithmically using many software instructions. Estimates of the speed improvement vary, but I have heard the numbers 3x to 5x improvement in certain algorithms. That is, the MMX Pentium with APPROPRIATELY WRITTEN SOFTWARE will execute certain multimedia algorithms 3 to 5 time faster than the old Pentium using the original x86 instructions.
Many DSP chips (Digital Signal Processors) also have these type of instructions as part of their basic instruction set. Hence, DSP chips were often used to accelerate multimedia applications.
Texas Instruments has made an excellent business on its programmable DSP chips which have been used on high end FAX/Modem cards, sound cards, etc. Since Intel is essentially rolling a DSP chip into the Pentium and Pentium Pro devices (and presumably all future versions of the x86 compatible microprocessors), my bet is that TI will see the biggest hit. Analog Devices is another concern that is trying to make it big in DSP chips with their SHARC line.
Vendors of windows accelerator chips such as S3 and ATI will still have a large market. Graphics display (2 D) will still require dedicated chips to off-load the CPU. Intel is working on a high end 3D graphics accelerator, but that is a different entity than MMX.
Video (i.e., "motion pictures") displays on a PC should be enhanced with the new MMX instructions. This feature is incorporated on high end specialized Video Enabled graphics chips from S3, and a bunch of others. There may be some jeopardy with these chips since they are costly compared to basic Windows accelerator chips. MMX will reduce the cost of displaying higher quality video on PCs.
Oak Technology has made a business in CD ROM controllers. I am not quite sure if MMX will get into this arena. The OAK chips must control the CD-ROM hardware directly - Laser Pickup, motor control, etc. However, the data output functions (digital) may be enhanced if they are fed directly to the Pentium MMX.
Intel has developed a new spec called CODEC '97 which outlines a basic analog coder/decoder for those companies in the analog business such as Crytal Semi/Cirrus, Burr-Brown, Brooktree. Intel's spec outlines the separation of analog and digital functions, and is aimed at specifying a minimum set of analog-digital and digital-analog functions for these vendors' new devices.
Remember - the Pentium is still all digital and will require basic A-D and D-A front ends for music.
The MMX instructions coupled with a minimal codec chip plus appropriate telephone signal interface chips, may be able to replace
dedicated modem chips. Rockwell stands to be caught in this crossfire.
I believe a company called ESS makes FM synthesis chips as well as Yamaha. These are used on the Soundblaster boards and clones. So, these companies may be greatly affected by the new Pentium MMX.
Bear in mind, NEW SOFTWARE has to be written to take advantage of the new MMX instructions. There will be a slow ramp of MMX enabled software releases once the MMX chips are out in the market.
Paul |
