AMD has announced the AMD Opteron brand for the next generation server and workstation processors from AMD. Previously code-named "SledgeHammer", these processors introduce a landmark achievement in the x86 processor market, as they feature both 32 and 64-bit technology.

64-bit AMD Opteron

The AMD Opteron is a true 64-bit microprocessor offering backwards compatibility with the 32-bit Intel x86 processor architecture.

In addition to the ability to address much more memory and process larger chunks of data at once, the AMD Opteron will feature breakthrough HyperTransport technology which will eliminate system bottlenecks. The Opteron will feature three HyperTransport interconnects.

The AMD Opteron is designed to compete with other proprietary 64-bit chips from Sun, SGI, IBM and HP as well as compete with Intel's Xeon and Itanium processors.

A Likely Industry Split

Many analysts agree that AMD's Opteron chip offers a substantial threat to Intel's Pentium 4 and Itanium processors. Because it can run 32-bit Windows applications along side new 64-bit Windows and Linux apps, the processor offers a safer path to 64-bit computing--unlike Intel's Itanium line which requires all new 64-bit applications to run. Microsoft has now committed Windows to both the 64-bit Opteron and the 64-bit Intel Itanium processor.

How Apple Will Challenge The 64-bit Threat

Meanwhile, back in Macintosh land, Apple will be introducing a 64-bit future as well with the introduction of the Motorola PowerPC G5 processor. The PowerPC Architectural Road Map has always shown the G5 to provide 64-bit addressing, and like the Opteron, the G5 64-bit chip version would be backwards compatible with legacy 32-bit PowerPC applications.

Additionally, Apple has joined AMD on HyperTransport technologies and sits on the HyperTransport Executive Committee. Rumors insist that Apple may introduce HyperTransport interconnects on the first generation G5 motherboard but utilize them differently than AMD. G5 Road Map information currently shows a similar technology called RapidIO, as a high speed chip to chip interconnect technology. Such chip-to-chip high speed interconnects could serve Apple well with multiprocessor Power Macs in addition to other subsystems and the critical CPU to GPU pathway.

When and How

AMD is scheduled to deliver the Opteron processor in configurations in the first quarter of 2003. Speculation on the delivery of true G5 Power Macs suggest as early as MacWorld Expo New York in July 2002, while other insiders claim a G5 Power Mac will not be introduced until January of 2003 or later.

There appears to be growing evidence that Apple may introduce another round of speed-improved G4 Power Macs before the introduction of true G5 parts. However, with a timetable for Opteron set for early 2003, Apple now has the added pressure to catch up not only on the Mega Hertz front but to maintain parity with anticipated 64-bit computing in the Windows space.