This is the third and final article (part one and part two articles) on current 64-bit architectures at ExtremeTech: While IA-64 and Hammer battle for mindshare, existing 64-bit designs are working hard. And not standing still. Here’s what AMD and Intel are up against. “Alpha: Not Dead Yet” The upcoming 21364 freshens multiprocessor machines; and some of it lives on in Hammer. “UltraSPARC-III is Still the Classic RISC Chip:” In Sun’s tightly coupled world, software can make up for some hardware deficiencies. “Power 4: 680 Million Transistors Can’t be Wrong:” IBM’s monster looks more like a floor tile than a CPU chip. And it’s 500 watts. In the meantime, Compaq benchmarks a four-way 1GHz Alpha server with Tru64 UNIX. It ran Oracle9i Enterprise Edition for Tru64 UNIX and hit 50,117tpmC (transactions per minute), TheRegister reports.
64-Bit CPUs: Alpha, SPARC, MIPS, and POWER
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Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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Like alawys will prevent 64 bit in the x86 world for some Time. Does has just gone away even thouht M$ advertised its death when 95 came out …
If M$ releases an OS that support 64 bit x86 computing then will see it happeen. M$ is not ready for IA64. Intel *needs* a MIcrosoft OS in order to be able to throw the towel on IA 62
Why?
you have *BSD and GNU/Linux that have already ports on 64bit.
linux is getting on AMD 64bit chip and on itanium.
why waiting for MS?
IBM really got some taste, their Power 4 cpu (or should I say heating aparatus) is quite awesome. A technical marvel. Too sad it can’t somehow be minaturized/simplified and yet achieve the same performances.
To answer the above post, Intel requires Microsoft because Microsoft ownz the desktop market, and AFAIK that’s where most cpus are sold nowadays. Sure there is always the server market and such,but as far as the desktop goes you need some MS support if you are a cpu manufacturer.
In all cases,this article was really good and, to me at least, was enlightening, provided a good overview of all the possible choices.
It’s still sad that ppl aren’t sticking to the Alpha a bit more, it’s a cpu that really had a long life expectency architecturally. I’ll shed a tear for it today.
Most cpus are not for the desktop.
“The fact is, Pentium accounts
for only about 2% of the microprocessors sold around the
world. ”
http://www.extremetech.com/article/0,3396,s%253D1005%2526a~…
I’m not sure what posters above said about M$ OSes.
I would expect readers of OSnews at least know something more about OSes than average VB programmer.
NT 3.1 and NT 3.51 were running on MIPS and Alpha.
NT 4.0 was running on Alpha too.
There are 2 version of Windows XP now – 32 bit and 64 bit.
On the side note – Intel is not banking on M$ for Itanium processor. Remember that Itanium was designed together with HP. HP UX 11 is already 64 bit. I wish article would cover PA-RISC also – this one seems to be a goner more than Alpha.
With all this talk about 64Bit processors lately (not just here, but every it seems like every site I read) It’s really made me itch to get my hands on one. I don’t need a new desktop/server, so Laptop is what I’m thinking. Does anyone know of any Non x86 based laptops (the only ones I can think of are obviously Apple’s, and ones built with the Transmeta chips).
Just a courious thought.
Looking on those Spec results you should keep in mind that those are only those of a single Power4 core of which there ar 8 on the module. Besides I’m sure IBM could come up with a usefull packaging with only one Power4 chip (2 cores) which would be usable in a workstation class computer.
the aritcle made no mention of g5, apple power pc g5 64-bit risc. how disappointing!
That’s because it is mostly rumor right now.
then when will we see G5?
Will Apple be eating Intel and Amd’s dust once again?
For Mr. Fizz – Check them out here:
http://www.acmeportable.com/
http://www.tadpolerdi.com/
[SPARC is to processors what Linux is to operating systems. It has become the flagpole around which rebellious mobs gather in passive-aggressive demonstrations against the dominant player (in this case, Intel). ]
cute…
Someone else mentioned NT3.51 & 4.0 on Alpha. I run Win2K/NT5.0 on my Alpha, and have for almost 2 years. Yes, it’s a beta copy, but then, so is all MS s/w… Anyone interested on NT on Alpha can check out http://www.alphant.com. A little dated, but some interesting info.
I wouldn’t call them “notebook” nor would I call them “laptop”. It’s an easy to carry desktop computer, or like they say “portable computer”. Note that it’s not exactly the kind of laptop you can use in the train going to work, unless you plan to carry your own 300watts generator with you.
A heavy-duty metal case with wheel is not exactly a feature I look for in a notebook
Sorry, I looked only at the first url, the second one from tadpolerdi does carry a more reasonable laptop, with 1.5 to 2.0 hours of battery lifetime it isn’t bad either.
See…
http://hw.tadpole.com/html/products/mobile/ultrabookiie/
It weighs 8 pounds and is totally notebook form factor.
Internal battery lasts 2.5 hours and weighs a little over a pound.
Yes, it’s a bit big and heavy, but it IS a notebook, I say. Apple’s notebook weighs in at 4.9 pounds.
Hehe, Sorry Dave. I see you corrected your first post just now, right before I submitted my angry rebuttal.
My mistake for the confusion. I should have listed the Tadpole/Cycle website first…
I think you make a good point though, it is a big chunky notebook compared to what Apple and Sony make…definitely “industrial strength” :]
These notebooks are very sleek and seem to be much better manufactured technology than the Tadpole/Cycle stuff I pointed you at earlier. They are much more in line with what Apple and Sony produces in comparison:
http://www.rave.net/hard-nattech.html
OK. I’ll shut up now.
Transmeta chips can be architecture changed just changing the code morphing software.
I could definately use a Naturetech 777s.. but hrm.. I guess the price is out of my class :p
anybody feel like buying me a birthday gift?
It seems that the writer does not like Sparc. But unfortunately for him the bad old sparc goes as fast as a brand new itanium! Sparc was good but now is old…