Replies to post #46874 on Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[dacaw]

SSE3 and execution units

McGrath already said, two years ago, that a new fp unit was far advanced. That's why I think its all part + parcel of the E0 stepping.

I don't see that it would require massive changes. Its just a matter of having the same interface as the existing section, something that was part of the design parameters.

Better SSE+SSE2 is a good thing to compete against PowerPC and provide a boost to workstation & big technical computer designs, i.e. the very areas where Sun is strong. Demand by Sun will drive this transition IMHO. The server biz is already doing very well - the area where k8 already shines and fp is unimportant.

Better fp may well be the low hanging fruit right now.

The decision to drop MMX, 3DNow & x87 in 64-bit XP64 programs makes a better SSE/SSE2 more relevant than ever.

Cheers