3D Processors, Stacking Cores - The Takeover of 3D Layered CPUs
(Page 4 of 4 )
There are plenty of promising technologies that failed due to x86 owning the market. Consumers not willing to part with backwards compatibility stick to the mainstream, though sometimes inferior, technology. As I mentioned in a prior article about the cell processor, the x86 has put superior architectures such as Amiga to bed. If the layered processor technology is not compatible with the x86 instruction set, it faces some trouble in gaining desktop acceptance.
For an example of a new processor technology that didn’t support x86, take a look at Intel’s Itanium. To create a 64-bit processor, Intel decided to start from the ground up. The company built the Itanium without backwards compatibility. Of course, Intel didn’t make a strong attempt to penetrate the desktop PC market with it, probably foreseeing people becoming upset with starting on a whole new system. To make a long story short, the Itanium gained the nickname “Titanium.” AMD released their 64-bit processor that is backwards compatibility with 32-bit x86 systems. AMD has taken that market, and Intel has worked on developing a similar backwards compatible 64-bit to compete.
This is at least demonstrative that technologies that may look incompatible could be designed to work with established architectures. Still, adding a new layer is a large change that would be a struggle to implement without large changes. Perhaps will try pulling another Itanium. Perhaps not.
Still, if the new architecture is incompatible with traditional software, that doesn’t seal its doom. Desktop processors have not been increasing speed as quickly. Intel and AMD have been shrinking their processors and pumping up the Ghz for quite a while, but they may eventually hit a wall with the performance they can push out. This is partially the reason for experimenting with new technologies, like multiple cores. If x86 fails to meet the expectations of Moore’s Law, software demands probably won’t.
Power hungry gamers and businesses will start looking at a more competent architecture if it has support for software or games that they want. Using an old architecture can only last for so long before backwards compatibility affects its capabilities. Of course, if x86 3D processors can be delivered, the results could easily be jaw dropping.
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
/ 27 
