Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[Wouter Tinus]

Please don't gaggle only, lay eggs: Post this very long list. And a link to an Intel statement of a longer pipeline for Merom as well.

Intel announced this so far:

- 64 bit extensions
- Four issue design
- 14 stage pipeline*
- Improved (bandwidth aware) prefetch
- Deeper buffers
- Direct L1-to-L1 cache transfers
- Higher L2-core bandwidth
- Memory disambiguation
- Macro-op fusion
- Power management up to individual execution units

But there's probably a lot more in *T-terms. IOAT and Rockton come to mind. Also I expect better RAS features and a L3 cache controller for MP server versions. Anyway, you don't need this whole list. The 32-bit to 64-bit transition alone already makes it a new core.

* Current generation Pentium M core is said to have 12 stages. The exact number is a secret but several reports say "extended to 14 stages".

Sources:

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=164
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=25623
http://www.digitimes.com/mobos/a20051018PR201.html