Replies to post #1573 on Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[wbmw]

XP, Re: The point is that for the same technology and the same design skill, 64-bit will be slower than 32-bit.

There is no fundamental reason for this. In fact, there is proof to the contrary, if you reread Chipguy's post. The reason why Opteron is being launched at such a slow speed has to do with manufacturing difficulties, including the move to SOI. These difficulties will not last forever, but it looks as if they will impact AMD until later in the year, at the earliest.

[chipguy]

A 64 bit adder will be slightly slower than a 32 bit adder. But the Pentium
4 readily demonstrates that the time to do a single addition doesn't come
anywhere close to being a limiting factor on processor clock rate.

Chipguy:You obviously don't have the foggiest notion.

I am not the one who claimed a 64 bit adder is 20 to 30% slower than a
32 bit adder. Or that the critical path in modern uPs, and therefore their
maximum clock rate, is dominated by addition speed. Toss me another
nugget from your vast store of knowledge. Its been raining on and off all
day here and I could use another good belly laugh.