64bit processing

[Abbadon]

I just read on Tom's Hardware that the AMD64-bit cpu's are comming. Grand news indeed!

I suppose it's reasonable to assume that Intell has similar projects on the line, does anyone know anything about their plans? I know they're working on the P5 but will that one support 64bit computing? And what about the speeds this new generation will make possible, anyone care to make prediction?

[malcore]

Intel is being very secretive about any plans for 64 bit processing. In fact, they are even denying they have any plans.

Their next step is the Prescott Pentium chip which will go with their latest 800MHz FSB platforms the Canterwood and Springdale. Word is these processors will start at 3.2 GHz and scale up to 5GHz. They will have a full Gigabyte of L2 cache and utilize Hyperthreading 2, which in theory would be like having two virtual processors.

If this works out as described by Intel, can you imagine having a 5GHz processor that can function like TWO 5GHz processors??(If applications will support threading).

There is speculation that after the Prescott with its 90 nanometer technology that Intel's next step, the "Tejas" will be 64 bit.

Intel seems confident however, that the Prescott will offer serious competition to AMD's 64 bit offering.

Then there's the excitement of DDR2 to add to the mix.;) And second generation Serial ATA.

[Abbadon]

And here I was planning on finaly doing some much needed upgrading comming august (when I finaly will have saved da bucks to do so). Seems like I'd better keep on saving a few more months and see where all this is going. Normally I wouldn't do so because then you can start waiting forever 'till the next new thing arrives, and then another new thing and so on ad infinitum, but this seems like it's worth it. I wonder what the prices for these beauties will be...

[Budfred]

You are probably going to be able to save for quite a while. Even once these techs are available (I think the 64bit AMD is already), they won't have software that can take advantage of them for a long time, particularly the 64bit chips...

[saphalline]

Man, you can set your clock to this! What is it now, Budfred, the 3rd or 4th time we've discussed 64-bit computing? Seems to crop up every 3 months or so. :p And yet every time is gets a little closer...

My friend and I already have plans to move up to AMD's 64-bit CPU's. He's stopping his 32-bit days with a Barton on his Asus A7N8X Deluxe mobo, and I'm stopping at one of the early P4 Prescott's on my Abit IS7 mobo. Both should provide ample computing power until the 64-bitters come out.

The only thing you have to consider, Abbadon, is what software you're going to use in the near future. Windows "Longhorn" edition is ready and fully 64-bit, so the OS is in. And many games and popular apps have promised to move to 64-bit versions as soon as Longhorn is officially released. The "but" in this case is of course that current 32-bit software will remain for quite some time and will run just as fast or only slightly faster on a 64-bit system. It won't run twice as fast.

Just because a 64-bit CPU is technically capable of crunching two 32-bit threads in parallel doesn't mean the software can. It might make for interesting performance enhancements if Longhorn can push, say, Photoshop and Sound Forge at once, as two separate & simultaneous 32-bit streams on a 64-bit CPU, but even then it will only strut its stuff in multitasking.

And let's not forget the cost of admission to 64-bit land! A whole new slew of chipsets, many more mobos, several CPU's, and the fact that we'll all need to learn a new platform. Several advancements are underway for both Intel & AMD for 64-bit computing, and some of them go against current technologies, so this should at least be interesting! :rolleyes: Well, back to the whitepapers...

[Rick]

Abbadon

Do your self a favor
Go for the Upgrade Now..

Don't wait for the 64 bit stuff
By the time your new upgrade ( Done in the next few months ) is out dated and slow
64 bit will still be in the introduction mode.

[Abbadon]

Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. 'sides, the 64 bit stuff will most likeley be waaay expensive when it first comes out forcing me to cut conrners on buying other components. Can't have that can we... :)

[Rick]

If your Not a Big gamer
You could just build a dual and have the best of both worlds.

2 32bit cpu's, smp OS, and the right programs
Keep the $$ in your pocket or add more toys to your system. :)

[Abbadon]

wouldn't call myself a BIG gamer, but I do like to make thingies go BOOM :D


However, what would dual processors do exactly? Am I correct to assume that they would be able to run 64bit aps at 64bit (go team!), while still providing support for 32bit aps?

[Rick]

Nope..

2 32bit cpu's can be setup to run like 2 computers on one mother board ( Sharing the work load )

BUT ( I Know there is always a BUT) the software you use Must be SMP aware and support dual .. win9x-XP Home doesn't.. Win2K-XP pro does.
Most of Microsoft office programs Don't
Adabe Photo and Autodesk Does ( They make use of Both cpu's at one time
speeding up all thier operations )

So Like the upcoming 64 bit ,, You need more than just the hardware