What I was getting at is that the Opteron is a "true" 64-bit processor,
just as the Itanium is a "true" 64-bit processor.  The Opteron has a
full 64-bit mode of operation, along with various compatibility modes. 
The Itanium only operates in 64-bit mode, and must emulate 32-bit
execution, if I am not mistaken.  I just thought it was funny that a guy
with an intel.com address said something about how AMD64 processors are
"just a 64-bit extension set to the IA32 architecture" as though it
makes the Opteron any less of a 64-bit processor.  AMD is taking the
same approach that Intel took from 16 to 32-bit processing, with their
move from 32 to 64-bit processing.  And in fact, Intel is apparently
going to take the exact same approach to the move from 32-bit to 64-bit,
themselves.

The preceding has been my opinion and understanding of the facts, please
let me know if I am mistaken...
-Erik

>>> alex.c.earl@intel.com 04/16/04 7:08 AM >>>
That is what I understood as well, perhaps I am wrong. I do know that
the 64-bit instruction set they use is just an extension to the 32-bit
as 32-bit is to 16-bit (again I guess I could be mistaken but this is
what I understood). The Intel 64 bit Itanium is a different instruction
set (which fixes some of the problems with IA32 instruction set). 

That is what I meant by extension, extension to the instruction set.

Anyway...


> -----Original Message-----
> From: plug-discuss-admin@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
[mailto:plug-discuss-
> admin@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] On Behalf Of David Huerta
> Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 10:47 PM
> To: plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> Subject: RE: AMD64
> 
> From what I understand, the AMD64 chipset is basically two 32-bit AMD
> chips sandwiched together to act like a 64-bit dual-processor-ish
system.
> 
> --
> + David "Huertanix" Huerta
> + DeVry Linux User Group
> + http://www.devrylinux.org
> 
> On Thu, 15 Apr 2004, plug wrote:
> 
> > AMD64 chips process 64-bit data and instructions, do they not?
> > -Erik
> >
> > >>> alex.c.earl@intel.com 04/15/04 1:23 PM >>>
> > The Itanium processor is a true 64-bit processor, whereas the AMD64
(if
> > you are referring to Opteron) is just a 64-bit extension set to the
IA32
> > architecture.
> >
> > Alex
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------
> > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change  you mail settings:
> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------
> > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change  you mail settings:
> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
> >
> ---------------------------------------------------
> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change  you mail settings:
> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss


---------------------------------------------------
PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change  you mail settings:
http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss

---------------------------------------------------
PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change  you mail settings:
http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss