Marshall, Thanks for your post and linked posts as well.
Yes, the Intel CPU will be $100 to $600.
Yes, all MMX it intends to do will take processing power away from other tasks;
Yes, the current MMX architechture is still not ideal for 3-D graphics, 56k/33.6K modems, etc.
But it is more than a potential threat, say 2 to 3 years from now. It actually can do some of the tasks promoted by Intel and implemented by third parties. The problem is that nobody can predict what the 3rd parties can do and what they want to do.
Therefore S3, Rockwell, USRobotics and a bunch of others are carefully watching the developments. Intel seems to be happy to see the situation evolves, it is to Intel's advantage in the long run unless someone (like AMD or Cyrix) comes in and integrate CPU with more powerful MMX hardwares/instructions. If it is the PC platform, nobody can escape from Intel's dominance.
If the platform can be changed, e.g., a standalone environment and non WIntel platform, then cheaper implementation with dedicated hardware will continue to thrive.
Mark |
