Alternative 64-bit CPUs inside Intel
José Luís Azevedo · 2007
The Itanium Processor is a native 64 Bits processor based on IA-64 (Intel Architecture, 64 bit) that implements the EPIC (Explicit Parallel Instruction set Computing) architecture. Itanium uses a combination of techniques to improve the speed and performance, using the compiler to turns sequential code into parallelized 128-bit bundles that can be processed in the CPU without need to interpret it after. This allows the processor to concentrate on executing parallel code as fast as he can, without further optimizations or interpretations, having in this way more time to concentration on others tasks like parallelism executions. Intel leader of the market of processors since beginnings of the years ninety has put in office in the inquiry and development of new processors based in innovative architectures. In 1994, Intel began his work in a project called Merced (Itanium Code Name During development), project this that would represent Intel mark in the world of the processors 64-Bits. The processor Itanium, code-name Merced, was developed in a consortium between the Intel and HP, marking a break in the operation base with the processors up to that time developed, basically leaving for backwards the traditional forms of action of the CPUs on execution an operation of each time, as well as, surpasses level with architecture the needs of utilization of tricks of engineering for increase the processor speed, worry this that has occupied the engineers over the years. The philosophy adapted to delivery Itanium in the market was the same as other Motorola has made years ago in development of 16 to 32 bit processors. Unfortunately for Intel, the Itanium was a commercial failure because they tried a complete break with the past, not offering compatible mode to 32bit. With the AMD 64Bit Processors in the market giving both execution modes 32/64 Bit, Intel starts loosing market place for AMD. This obliged Intel it recoil in his strategy of market throwing in the market the processor with the technology EM64T 1 , technology based in IA-32 but with improvements to work at 64bit mode. The first Intel Processor with this technology was Xeon Family Processors. With both EM64T and AMD64 based processors disputing the market, Intel still developing new processors technology and new approach's to processors architecture.