Intel Corp (INTC)

[SemiconEng]

The work probably started in 2000 as it is based on the x86-64 spec of the time. It would be a fine achievement to have it ready before WinXP64 if they do which would leave A64s only relying on their performance as they do now. Only the paranoid survive, heh. I am assuming of course there will be no performance hit from EM64T which will have an Itanium x86 effect.


*** I don't have any insight into the performance of EM64T, much less development dates information. If intel did have functional 64bit dark transistors in Prescott, it would seem to be a great waste of Silicon real estate if it didn't work. I'm guessing it did, but the power envelope would have been that "Nuclear furnace" that intel was referring to.


64bit will be something everybody will benefit from as a sales driver. I will upgrade to probably a 90nm 3Ghz A64 with WinXP64 ,to play fully 64bit games, when the o/s has been established even though my o/c 2.4 Ghz Barton is currently fine performance-wise. See, a high-end sale where there was no real need.


*** Sure, me too. I'm typing this on my P4 HT 2.4GHz 800FSB Desktop, and it runs my Diablo II, and my cablemodem just fine, thank you. That, and touring around with my Centrino laptop means I don't have any near turm purchasing plans, 64bit or not.


What I am curious to know is if there is also an embedded proprietary x86-64 embedded in there as well from earlier. Might explain the huge transistor count. However with 2Mb, 1066fsb, 64bit and 4+ Ghz Prescott's reputation vis a vis Northwood would be restored imo.


*** Just guessing based on the silicon real estate required for it, Prescott probably had it from the beginning, but I'm not sure how it would have fit into Northwood on 130nm with that die size. Besides, I don't believe the Northwood development timeframe fits the EM64T Development timeframe. JMO.