What does this latest generation of computer chips mean to you? Unless you are really demanding in terms of computing, it probably will not bring much, at least for now.
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If the 32 bit computation is good then can we say that 64 bit computing is going to be twice as good? The answer here is yes, but not necessarily so. Anyone who has ever bought a computer can hear the speed of the chip. Processors and computer companies are always trying to tempt buyers with promises of better computer performance thanks to faster processors. Users who need high computing power will be unlikely to accept the purchase of a 3.2GHz chip when 3.4GHz chips are launched in the market. Now, the promise of performance begins to shift to a new field, not speed, but the ability to handle more memory.
Back in the late 1980s, typical desktops typically carry a 16-bit processor that can process or address up to 1 megabytes of memory. random RAM. Then came a standard that is still widely used, 32-bit processor. This processor can address up to a massive 4 GB of RAM. Recently, the next step has been to equip desktop computers with a 64-bit processor that can address a huge memory size of 16 exabytes (or 16 billion GB).
The "hybrid"
The leader of this movement is Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), a chipmaker who has struggled to challenge the top chip maker in the market, Intel. AMD has released 64-bit chips called Athlon 64 designed for desktops and notebooks and Opteron chips for much more powerful servers. The latest chips from AMD are hybrid chips that can run software for both 32-bit and 64-bit machines.
And in the last few weeks, it's clear that the 32/64 bit combination processors for the servers are proving themselves. Multi-memory addressing allows certain applications, such as databases, to run much faster than today's 32-bit processors.
Enterprise customers love this and in February, hardware maker Sun and Hewlett Packard announced the launch of new servers based on AMD's dual-mode Opteron processors, coupled with IBM's , the company built Opteron-based servers. These chips attracted the attention of well-known computer makers because they were cheaper than Intel's 64-bit Itanium server chip.
The transition is faster?
Of course, on Feb. 17, Intel announced a 32/64 bit version of their previous 32-bit Xeon chips for servers and workstations. This move not only confirms Intel's official approval for this small but rapidly growing market. It is also predicted that 64-bit computing will soon be accepted not just for servers and workstations, but also for the largest desktop-computing market.
In fact, it seems that the transition from 32-bit computing to 64-bit computing will occur faster than the seven-year transition from 16-bit to 32-bit computing. According to analysts, perhaps the latest shift, backed up by smart marketing measures, may take only five years, although it will bring little improvement in its experience. most customers than before. Experts say people using only email and word processors will not notice any change.
That's because 64-bit chips are actually intended for the use of a variety of new software applications, completely different from the ones currently in use. And it may take several years before these applications are developed.
64-bit chips can dramatically improve the performance of a server (for example, by speeding up access to data from those huge databases). Certainly, these chips will also be important to business users who run applications that require large processing capacities such as animation and mathematical calculations. And on the desktop, customers who play strong 3-D games or movie editors will appreciate the value of addressing more of this memory.
Force Intel to do it
However, users who need high computing power are not the primary market for this type of chip. So how does 64-bit computing work for many ordinary computer users? Most users will not realize the full benefits of 64-bit chips in the next few years while paying more now. Of course, some users will still buy these chips because, according to one analyst, end users want to know that they are getting the best of today, even if they do not need it.
Analysts say there has been a lot of hype surrounding 64-bit computing to the point that it would force Intel to roll out a 32-bit 64-bit desktop processor within. Next year, even though there is no such chip in Intel's roadmap yet. However, Xeon is almost a twin of Intel's latest desktop-prescott processor, with 64-bit functionality not enabled, meaning that the chipmaker could probably is about to launch a 64-bit desktop chip version.
And 64-bit desktop chips from AMD and IBM, which are Apple's new 64-bit G5 processor, are selling well. According to Peter Glaskowsky, editor-in-chief of the Microprocessor Report industry, AMD may account for 5 percent of the PC processor market from Intel next year.
"Small but important"
Currently, 64-bit desktop OS choices are limited to Linux versions sold by SUSE and Red Hat, although on February 3, software giant Microsoft Released a trial version of Windows XP 64-bit, capable of running both 32-bit and 64-bit applications (the final product is expected to be released in the second half of 2004). Microsoft hopes that the new operating system will be "a small but important and rapidly growing market."
Software applications face the bigger problem mentioned above: It will take some time before applications can capitalize on new chips and operating systems being released. Enterprise software maker Oracle does not plan to rewrite 32-bit applications such as applications used for payroll or financial processing because Oracle says their applications run very well on the chip and 32 bit operating system (their database applications intended for servers are already 64 bit). Analysts expect many software companies to do the same.
Game apps and some other specialized applications are exceptions. In fact, AMD hopes to release a series of 64-bit games within the next few months. Cloanto, a small software developer in the United States and Italy that provides users with "classic" computer games and competes with past applications on their computers, plans to release Some 64-bit software shortly after Microsoft's new operating system was launched. "People who use desktops want something new, anything that Intel and AMD can offer us is welcome," said president and chief executive Michael Battilana.
Spending deficit
However, software is not the only problem. The memory needed to realize the full potential of a 64 bit system is probably still too expensive in the next few years. You should remember that a typical 32-bit personal computer is usually equipped with 512 MB of RAM. Upgrading the memory capacity to a 4 GB addressable limit would theoretically cost about $ 700. Getting close to the maximum capacity of a 64-bit computer is extremely expensive with today's RAM. Upgrading to just one exabyte (1 billion GB) costs about $ 200 billion.
Some experts in the field of information say 64-bit desktops do not match the big money. They say they can consider buying 64-bit personal computers, but only to replace some dedicated workstations. Purchasing 64-bit personal computers will also mean for companies not replacing their hardware for five years or more. At that time, 64-bit applications that companies want to use may already be available.
Most customers want to wait and consider what devices the 64-bit applications will be used on. Take the example with video. Some experts believe that customers will buy 64-bit computers for better quality video or feature films on their PCs. However, many others say that soon the movies will be downloaded directly to the TV. If that's true, buying a 64-bit personal computer is expensive to watch.
There should be an "ecosystem"
However, the operating system and 64-bit processor on a desktop still has a certain appeal. Most 32-bit applications running on a 64-bit operating system will run a bit faster, and 64-bit applications running on a 64-bit operating system can increase performance by up to 30%. such as image editing.
For the current situation, computer buyers who are not interested in hype about 64 bit will focus on the performance of the chip measured on 32 bit applications. Today, AMD's desktop chips, the Athlon 64, outperform Intel's in most benchmark tests, but the positions of the two companies often swap each other.
Intel still believes the world is not ready for a 64-bit desktop. "When we see a software ecosystem for 64-bit desktops and needs, we'll be in the market," said an Intel spokesman. However, demand can come before ecosystems are built. That would be a boon for memory and computer makers, who would eventually earn more money when they produce products that are home-based to most users but work just fine. bit compared to today's 32 bit systems.
Minh Chung
