In message <
[email protected]> "NoNoBadDog!"
Intel advocates will insist it is a 64 bit processor, but it is still
at
it's heart, by design and manufacture, a 32 bit P4. It does not have
an
on-die memory controller, does not have direct connect architecture,
and
does not have Hypertransport. Your P4 with EM64T is still hobbled to
antiquated Northbridge chip at a core frequency of 400 MHz. You have
none
of the advantages of the newer architecture that was pioneered by Apple
and
AMD in true 64 bit architectures.
It's worth noting that there is nothing uniquely 64bit about an on-die
memory controller, direct connect architecture, nor hypertransport.
All are good ideas, but none are uniquely 64bit (either in defining
"true" 64bit, or being impossible in a 64bit environment)
--
Going to war over religion is fighting to see who's got the
better imaginary friend.
The AMD Athlon 64 is a true 64 bit processor that uses 40 bit memory
addressing and handles 64 bit code natively. Intel P4 EM64T is a 32 bit
processor that has 32 bit memory addressing and handles 64 bit
instructions as thunked 32 bit (EM64T breaks the 64 bit into smaller
chunks and processes the chunks in 32 bit). Without DCA, Hypertransport
and on die memory controller, there is no sense to have 64 bit processor
because it will operate no faster than a 32 due to the system
architecture.
That is why Intel does not advertise its EM64T processors as 64 bit.
They know they cannot compete against the other 64 bit processors
(PowerPC, AMD64, etc).
It is sad, because Intel used to be an innovator and a leader in the
industry. They have floundered for the last two years and are no longer
competitive.
Bobby
Bobby