Interesting stuff from Compaq via the Inq:
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theinquirer.net
(spelling errors retained from the original article)
"1. Systems based on EV7 are clearly competitive and industry leading products for 2003-2004; It is interesting to note that we saw considerable differences in the differentiation of systems built with EV7, and the differentiation of EV7 from alternative microprocessors in the 2003-2004 timeframe. There really is no new work in the microprocessor core for EV7. Our innovation in EV7 is focused on system and server level features, especially driving the integration of the system onto a single chip in order to deliver a truly seamless scalable SMP environment. For CPU-specific benchmarks, especially those that do not stress the memory, I/O or SMP environments, EV7 will perform about the same level as a comparable speed EV68 microprocessor.
"• 2. EV8 would be competitive, but the differentiation would be less than that realized with prior product generations. Furthermore, this position would be predicated on nearly flawless execution on our part (which is a risky assumption given the general nature of microprocessor design today along with a ongoing industry shortage of key design talent), and it revealed to us that the threat to EV8 would be from Intel ® and IBM, not from Sun Microsystems.
"3. We could deliver scalable enterprise-class systems based on industry standard technologies, taking advantage of our skills in expertise in designing and building such systems; and
"4. We wanted a strong microprocessor partner, and provided criteria that would help us choose the appropriate partner.
"The paper says that recommendations to go down the Intel route went to the CEO of Compaq and to the Board of Directors, where it was approved. "Discussions with Intel began at that point, resulting in the decision that we announced on June 25, 2001."
"The subsequent decision to merge with HP will allow Compaq to leverage the broad app portfolio of HP/UX along with the 64-bit portfolio of Tru64, the document added.
""The discussions with Intel ® not only confirmed our decision, but also provided information we cannot disclose that reinforces the strength of this decision. The plans Intel ® had in place are more aggressive than what we had predicted. Indeed, one of our principal system architects (who is under a signed non-disclosure with Intel ® ) came back from his first visit incredibly excited about their future plans. We also have the ability to influence future microprocessor designs and RAS capabilities in ways that help deliver scalable enterprise platforms.
""Intel ® has already integrated the EV8 and other microprocessor support teams from Compaq, and they are off working to design the Intel ® Itanium™ Processor Family processors that will follow McKinley and Madison. Four of the senior design engineers from Compaq were made Intel Fellows the highest and most prestigious technical positions at Intel 1 . We also have established a close engineering relationship with Intel ® to ensure that the few capabilities we require from the microprocessor, in order to design and engineer scalable enterprise servers, are there to support us. It is already a sound working relationship."
"It concludes: "The two Itanium™ Processor Family microprocessors that arescheduled to follow Merced, McKinley and Madison, are well underway. Intel ® have announced their plans to be sampling these microprocessors by the end of 2001, with the expectation that they will how up in systems to be available in mid-year 2002. Both of these icroprocessors are expected to have significant gains in performance over Merced, over 50% according to Intel. They have designs built to increase application and system performance, including innovations such as multi-threading, as well as major system enhancements like faster internal bus rates. Performance will also benefit from the use of new semiconductor manufacturing processes, especially the move to 0.13µ." Compaq will produce a "broad family" of servers based on McKinley and Madison which will start to be introduced in the middle of next year."
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Very interesting read. |
