As Intel prepares to release Nocoma, its 64-bit hybrid
processor next week, AMD, which has already produced a hybrid
architecture based on the AMD64 core, unveiled plans to target
high-end servers.
Until now, the AMD Opteron processor, based on the AMD64 core, was
the main option for users who wanted a hybrid server which was able
to run 32-bit and 64-bit applications on the same hardware.
Using a 32-bit processor with 64-bit extensions, 32-bit
applications are able to take advantage of the larger addressable
memory on 64-bit systems, which can be used to improve
performance.
Nocoma, the iteration of Intel's dual-processor Xeon workstation
and server family, is a version of the hybrid chip. Intel's
architecture, dubbed extended memory technology, or EMT, is
designed to support 64-bit extended operating systems from
Microsoft, Red Hat and SuSE, according to Intel.
It is considered a bridge between 32-bit and 64-bit computing as
users are able to run entire 32-bit systems, 64-bit operating
systems with 32-bit applications, and 64-bit operating systems with
64-bit applications on the same hardware.
Along with the EMT architecture, Intel is developing a "dual-core"
64-bit architecture code- named Montecito, due to be released in
2005. Last week, AMD said it would also be working on a dual-core
system based on the AMD64 core.
Such an architecture should boost performance of applications as it
effectively doubles the processing power. Each processor comprises
two cores, allowing the chip to perform, in theory, twice as much
computational work.
AMD plans to deliver high-performance dual-core products for PC
servers in mid-2005 and said it would introduce dual-core chips for
high-end client PCs in the second half of 2005.
In a recent paper Gartner analyst Jane Wright said dual-core
technologies allowed servers to double the number of processors
previously supported in one format, but that users need to be wary
of this design when servers begin to appear in 2005.
Wright said, "Customers need to understand the software licensing
costs associated with dual-core processors. Many independent
software suppliers base their prices on the size of the server
where their software will be installed.
"If that server has dual processors, the supplier will usually
count each as one processor." In effect, buying a dual-core server
could double a user's software licensing costs.