AMD 64-bit preview

High performance servers, database management systems, CAD workstations, and even common desktops will benefit from a 64-bit design. The K8 will allow extremely large memory amounts and offer newly optimized processing capabilities. The K8 also expands the amount of available CPU registers, thus offering faster computational performance than current CPU designs do. Processor intensive software functions, such as graphics transform and lighting, circuit simulation, and scientific processing will directly benefit from the x86-64 architecture. Combined with native support for 16- and 32-bit software, the AMD K8 will prove to be a very competitive platform

By building the K8 around the concept of high performance and excellent compatibility, Advanced Micro Devices plans to leverage its x86-64 platform as the next computer technology evolution. By offering an advanced core design with support for current and future software, the K8 could be the platform to usher in a new era of computing. The next few months will be very interesting, especially with the recent problems Intel has encountered in the competing Itanium architecture. Expect AMD to offer a very competitive product with great potential of becoming the market leader