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Vipin V Nair

As Intel and AMD vie to power the microprocessor, you can make your system perform more actions simultaneously.

THE world of microprocessors is now moving on to the next orbit of power and performance: dual-core processing.

AMD, the number two chipmaker, recently showed its dual-core Athlon 64 processor for desktops, workstations and servers, calling it the only x86 architecture dual-core server. The new chip is expected to be launched in the second half of 2005.

Intel, the number one, was initially thought to be trailing AMD but has now announced that it will advance its chip unveiling, putting it right back in the competition.

Dual-core architecture, experts say, is the only way for chipmakers to keep increasing processing power as envisioned in Moore's Law, according to which the number of transistors per integrated circuit will double every two years.

Experts say the traditional way of increasing processor speed may not be possible anymore because of the issues related to frequency and power.

In dual-core architecture, two central processing units (CPUs) are built within a single processor to enable the simultaneous management of activities. Although dual-core architecture is hitting the mass market now, the idea is not really new. Companies such as Hewlett-Packard and IBM had talked about designing such processors at the start of the century itself. The HP PA8800 and IBM Power4 processors are, in fact, dual-core and have been used in servers such as HP 9000 and IBM eServer pSeries 690.

Also, you can see the first steps towards dual-core processing in the Intel Hyper-Threading technology, which was featured in the Xeon and Pentium 4 processors launched in 2002.

Though the new processors are getting ready to hit the market, common users will not feel the need for more power in their desktops any time soon, unless they are hardcore gaming enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the battle between Intel and AMD is set to intensify in the new area too.

More action in 64-bit sphere

Meanwhile, more action is unfolding in the 64-bit computing sphere. Intel says it is expanding its 64-bit capabilities into the enterprise desktop and the high-end Xeon-based servers.

The company is introducing the 600 Series of Pentium 4 and Xeon MP processors that can run both 32 bit as well as 64 bit software applications to take on AMD, which had brought out the x86 64-bit capabilities in its Opteron and Athlon 64 chips in 2003.

Intel officials say both the new version of Pentium and Xeon processors will have more security and performance features.

In the Pentium series, for instance, a larger Level 2 cache of 2MB is added to boost performance. The Xeon MP chips will have more power-saving capabilities through the SpeedStep power management technology available in Intel's mobile processors. It will also have 8MB Level 3 Cache, among other features.

AMD is also working on more features for its 64-bit processors. The company is joining hands with XenSource Inc to offer an open-source virtualisation option to its 64-bit Opteron. AMD officials recently announced that the Xen virtualisation package will be ported to Opteron in the first half the year. The Xen hypevisor will enable users to run multiple operating systems on a single machine.

Picture by Vino John

vipin@thehindu.co.in

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