AMD Releases x86-64 Specifications
Date: Thursday August 10, 2000
Manufacturer Link: AMD Discus -- BBS
AMD has released the x86-64 specifications for the Hammer processor.
The following press release cleared BusinessWire August 10, 2000 at
approximately 12:01 AM EDT.
Ward Tisdale
AMD Public Relations
E-mail: ward.tisdale@amd.com
Sean Cleveland
E-mail: sean.cleveland@amd.com
AMD RELEASES x86-64(tm) ARCHITECTURAL SPECIFICATION; ENABLES MARKET DRIVEN
MIGRATION TO 64-BIT COMPUTING
AMD's evolutionary approach builds upon the x86 instruction set;
preserves billions of dollars in corporate hardware and software investments
SUNNYVALE, CA-AUGUST 10, 2000 -AMD today publicly released the x86-64(tm)
Architecture Programmers Overview, the instruction manual the software
community can use to begin incorporating x86-64 technology support in their
operating systems, applications, drivers and development tools. AMD's x86-64
technology will first be supported in the family of processors codenamed
"Hammer," planned to be announced at the end of 2001.
"Sun Microsystems' Solaris team is very excited about AMD's x86-64
technology. We applaud AMD's ISV compatibility and upgrade strategy as well
as their open technology announcement today. We will be following their
progress closely as this technology comes to market," said Anil Gadre, vice
president and general manager for Solaris at Sun Microsystems.
AMD x86-64 technology is designed to enable platform suppliers, developers,
and corporations to transition to 64-bit environments while continuing to
have leading performance on the vast installed base of existing 32-bit
applications. 64-bit computing is ideal for memory hungry applications such
as large databases, CAD tools, and simulation engines that are currently
limited by the 4GB addressing limitation.
AMD is enhancing the x86 architecture to include a 64-bit mode that has both
a 64-bit address space and a 64-bit data space. AMD's 64-bit processors will
be designed to detect which mode is needed (32- or 64-bit) and compute
The computer industry has extended the x86 instruction set twice
previously, from 8-bit to 16-bit and from 16-bit to 32-bit. AMD's x86-64
architecture is a straightforward approach to extending the instruction set,
and will allow developers to employ their experience and the tools they have
accumulated since the inception of the x86 instruction set more than 20
years ago.
"AMD's evolutionary approach to 64-bit computing through an innovative
extension to an industry standard is a testament to AMD's commitment to
delivering better solutions to the market," said David Somo, vice president
of Marketing for AMD's Computation Products Group. "Ultimately this
technology is designed to help preserve the enterprise community's enormous
financial investment in 32-bit operating systems, applications, development
tools and support infrastructure while providing a seamless path to deploy
future 64-bit technology."
"AMD is excited to begin working with the development community to
incorporate support for our x86-64 technology," said Fred Weber, AMD vice
president of Engineering. "AMD's x86-64 technology is intended to integrate
fluidly into the existing 32-bit computing environment, allowing users to
continue running 32-bit applications. It will also permit users to adopt
64-bit applications at their own pace, as the hardware and software support
for 64-bit computing become available."
"Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of AMD's approach to 64-bit computing
is that it is an extension to the 32-bit environment prevailing in the
industry today rather than a radical departure," said Gordon Haff, a
Research Director with the Aberdeen Group. "As the industry as a whole
progresses to 64-bit platforms, we expect many system suppliers, software
vendors, MIS managers and end users to be interested in architectural
features that allow them to migrate at their own pace."
The complete text of the AMD x86-64 architecture specification is available
today at http://www.amd.com/products/cpg/64bit/overview.html. AMD will also
distribute the specification at LinuxWorld in San Jose next week.
About AMD's x86-64(tm) Technology
AMD's straightforward approach to 64-bit computing builds upon the x86
instruction set, one of the industry's most proven and widely supported
technologies. AMD x86-64 technology is designed to support applications that
address large amounts of physical and virtual memory, such as high
performance servers, database management systems, and CAD tools. The x86-64
technology seamlessly integrates into the current computing and support
environment, and is designed to enable enterprises to deploy high
performance 64-bit capable systems that build upon the billions of dollars
already invested in 32-bit software.
AMD enhances the current x86 instruction set by introducing two
major features: a 64-bit extension called long mode, and register
extensions. Long mode consists of two sub-modes: 64-bit mode, and
compatibility mode. 64-bit mode supports new 64-bit code through the
addition of eight general-purpose registers and widens them all along with
the instruction pointer. It also adds eight 128-bit floating point
registers. Compatibility mode supports existing 16-bit and 32-bit
applications under a 64-bit operating system. In addition to long mode, the
architecture also supports a pure x86 legacy mode, which preserves binary
compatibility with existing 16-bit and 32-bit applications and operating
systems.
Visit AMD on the Web
The x86-64 Architecture Programmers Overview including the full
specification and developer support is available at
http://www.amd.com/products/cpg/64bit/overview.html. For more information,
please visit AMD's virtual pressroom at
http://www.amd.com/news/virtualpress/index.html
About AMD
AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and
networked computer and communications markets with manufacturing facilities
in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD produces microprocessors,
flash memory devices, and support circuitry for communications and
networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, California,
AMD had revenues of $2.9 billion in 1999. (NYSE: AMD).
Note to Editor: Additional information will be available on Thursday
morning. Fred Weber, vice president of engineering, Computation Products
Group at AMD, will lead a teleconference. A moderated question-and-answer
period will follow opening remarks.
8:30 a.m. US PDT
Domestic (888) 313-7044
International (212) 346-6597
Audio replay information:
A replay will be available beginning at 10:30 a.m. US PDT, August 10, and
will run until 10:30 a.m. US PDT, August 17.
To access audio replay: (800) 633-8284/(858) 812-6440
Enter Reservation #16043498
This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally preceded by words
such as "plans," "expects," "believes," "anticipates" or "intends."
Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this release
involve risks and uncertainty that could cause actual results to differ
materially from current expectations. Forward looking statements in this
release include the risks that developers may not support the x86-64
technology and design tools for the technology in a timely manner or at all,
that AMD will not successfully implement the technology in its products on a
timely basis, that the "Hammer" family of processors may not be announced on
the anticipated schedule and may not be designed with the anticipated
technologies, and that the x86-64 technology may not achieve customer and
market acceptance. We urge investors to review in detail the risks and
uncertainties in the Company's filings with the United States Securities
Exchange Commission.
AMD, the AMD logo, and combinations thereof, and x86-64 are trademarks of
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other product names used in this publication
are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their
respective companies.
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