IBM's Power6 gets help with math, multimedia

Goodbye RISC, hello CISC: Adding things into hardware when they can be done in software makes this a CISC chip. IBM is leaving the world of RISC processing and creating specialty CPUs (read PROPRIETARY programming model). In the long run, this may hurt them when (or if) advanced compilers come out and are able to do this stuff (easily) in software. IOW, they are moving closer to x86 and further from Itanium.

The question that needs answering is - Is this the best use of chip real-estate? When Moore's Law comes to a screeching halt (2 years from now - 25nm will never be achieved), IBM will be looking at what functions to keep on the chip and which ones to get rid of. In the meantime, the Itanium will hold the advantage as the EPIC architecture is the most efficient use of chip real estate.; Posted by: Roger Ramjet Posted on: 10/11/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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Can't count to 10. Henaway | 10/10/06

decimal math shryko | 10/12/06

here comes Skynet! nix_hed | 10/10/06

well . . . CobraA1 | 10/11/06

Hmmm, maldain | 10/10/06

ENIAC James@... | 10/10/06

mainframe indeed jimbo_z | 10/10/06

And needs refrigeration room FirstNLastN | 10/10/06

Goodbye RISC, hello CISC Roger Ramjet | 10/11/06

Is it really useful? CobraA1 | 10/11/06

Big difference JoeyHayes0 | 10/11/06

Does anyone know JoeyHayes0 | 10/11/06

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