Paul,
Hot from the press:
Thursday October 9 2:35 PM EDT
Company Press Release
New 64-Bit Processor Will Extend the Intel Architecture
Joint Intel/HP 64-Bit Instruction Set to be Disclosed at the Microprocessor Forum
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 1997--Intel Corporation announced today that the first member of its new family of 64-bit microprocessors, code named Merced(TM), is scheduled for production in
1999.
The processor will be produced on Intel's 0.18 micron process technology, which is currently under development. The Merced processor will extend the Intel Architecture with new levels of performance and
features for servers and workstations. Merced processors will run all the software that currently operates on 32-bit Intel processor-based machines.
Intel has a complete IA-64 compatible software development environment running, and key independent software vendors (ISVs) are using it to develop operating systems and enterprise-level applications. The
ability to run initial applications in this simulated environment today, will enable ISVs to accelerate the transition of high-end enterprise and workstation applications to IA-64.
During the past two years, Intel has been working with more than 20 industry leaders to create operating systems, applications software and systems that will capitalize on Intel's 64-bit architecture.
Intel will be joined by Hewlett-Packard on Oct. 14 for a session at the Microprocessor Forum in San Jose, Calif., where the companies will make their first public disclosure of the new, jointly developed 64-bit instruction set architecture (ISA). The ISA has been in development since 1994.
In other sessions, Intel will describe its processor roadmap beyond the end of the decade, and will discuss the continued development of the IA-32 family of products into the next decade.
The Intel/HP 64-bit Instruction Set Architecture
At their joint session, Intel and Hewlett-Packard will describe the technical basis for creating a new architecture and give the first preview of the 64-bit ISA. The name of the new technology and some of its key architectural features -- such as ''explicit parallelism'' -- will be disclosed for the first time at the presentationm by Intel Fellow and Director of Microprocessor Architecture John Crawford and Hewlett-Packard's Manager and Lead Architect, Jerry Huck.
Intel's Processor Roadmap
In another session, Intel Fellow Fred Pollack will present the company's processor roadmap, showing the expansion of Intel's product line to contain 64-bit and 32-bit architectures.
As IA-64 becomes established with the Merced processor, Intel product offerings will span from 32-bit products for office, home and mobile users to the most powerful 64-bit products for workstations and servers.
Pollack's session will include initial disclosures of some of Intel's 64-bit processors currently under development. The roadmap of future processors based on today's popular IA-32 instruction set will also be
presented, illustrating its continued expansion into additional market segments.
Several computer manufacturers and operating system vendors will join this session to discuss their Intel processor-based products, technology programs and roadmaps, as well as specific Merced development efforts underway at their companies.
Companies currently working with Intel on implementing IA-64-based systems include: Bull, Compaq, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, ICL, Microsoft, NeTpower, Oracle, Phoenix Technologies, SAP, SAS, SCO,
Sequent, Siemens-Nixdorf, Stratus and Unisys.
Discussion of IA-32 for the Future
In a final session, Intel Fellow Bob Colwell will present future generations of the IA-32 processor product line. Intel has multiple future IA-32 processors currently under development that are targeted for various market segments beyond the end of the decade.
Larger cache memories, faster buses and skyrocketing frequencies are among the features of the planned successors to today's Pentium(R) II processor. Colwell will outline specific technology approaches Intel is taking to address the needs of both the workstation and server market segments.
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Ibexx |
