Yokemate of Keyboards
Posts: 12125 from 2003/5/22
From: Germany
> We appear to be on the same page on this design
We both find it likely that "Denver" is supposed to be a 64-bit design, yes. You said you were of the opinion that this is what "the current buzz about this introduction" was about. I am not of this opinion. So that's where we're on different pages.
> I think I've still managed to offend you.
I don't feel offended. It's just that I still don't get your "buzz" statement and thus am trying to find out what it's all about.
> Only a few that have followed current trends have posted any conjecture
"Almost nobody" fits reality better I think.
> instead of a "buzz" maybe its more like a murmur.
According to my dictionary that's at least closer to what I think it is than "the current buzz" ;-)
> it is obvious how other ISAs have evolved (even the PPC)
Actually, PPC wasn't that late to the show. Timeline of going 64-bit *and* actually shipping corresponding silicon was as follows:
1991: MIPS
1992: Alpha*
1994: PowerPC1995: SPARC
1996: PA-RISC
2000: z/Architecture*
2001: Itanium*
2002: SuperH
2003: x86
* never had a 32-bit predecessor/counterpart, i.e. has been 64-bit from the get-go
https://morph.zone/modules/newbb_plus/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7001&forum=3&start=301 (last link therein)
> its not unlikely that Nvidia is developing their hardware along a similar line.
Yes, but nVidia don't specify ARM ISA. ARM Ltd. does. So if "Denver" really is supposed to be a 64-bit ARM core/chip then this requires ARM Ltd. to at least have plans for something like an 'ARM64' ISA. That's what I believe is highly likely.
> Why wouldn't it be obvious to the rest of us?
I didn't say it wouldn't. I just expressed that I fail to see any alleged "buzz" regarding that matter.