Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[sgolds]

yourbankruptcy, I don't think that Intel would design a new server CPU from scratch, so the five year assumption wouldn't hold. I think they would start with the P4 design and adopt the AMD64 register and instruction set. Remember, this is a tactical product, Itanium is the strategy. I also think that Intel probably put a pilot project to work on this one to two years ago, and may even have an internal prototype.

However, they can't just dump this on the market without preparing the infrastructure. Hence the new socket design being introduced later this year - that will be the infrastructure for 64-bit. Remember, Intel can do quite nicely selling their own chipsets, they don't need to release specs because they really rather not have the chipset competition. When they are good and ready, they can license the chipset specs for third parties who can then scramble to provide low cost versions a year after Intel.

This is rather speculative, I have not sought out the specs on Intel's new socket. Someone may have that and disprove what I am posting - I am speculating based on what I'd do if I were in Intel's position.