ARM Takes on Intel with 64-bit Technology
Moving into the server and other computing markets, ARM has disclosed the details of its new ARMv8 technology, the first ARM architecture to include a 64-bit instruction set.
The move brings ARM and its licensees into a higher-end processor market – a move that will put it on a collision course in the x86-based microprocessor front against AMD and Intel.
ARM and Intel are already on a collision course in the mobile space. ARM dominates the space, but Intel is fighting back. Intel recently rolled out its 22nm process, which makes use of a tri-gate transistor technology. This will give Intel a power, price and performance advance over ARM in the mobile space, according to Intel.
Now, ARM is going after Intel at the high-end. ARM’s ARMv8 is said to bring energy-efficient, 64-bit computing to new applications such as high-end servers. The ARMv8 architecture consists of two main execution states, AArch64 and AArch32.
The AArch64 execution state introduces a new instruction set, A64 for 64-bit processing. The AArch32 state supports the existing ARM instruction set. The key features of the current ARMv7 architecture, including TrustZone, virtualization and NEON advanced SIMD, are maintained or extended in the ARMv8 architecture.
Several ARM licenses are developing chips for use in higher-end systems, including AMCC, Marvell and Nvidia.
“With our increasingly connected world, the market for 32-bit processing continues to expand and evolve creating new opportunities for 32-bit ARMv7 based processors in embedded, real-time and open application platforms.” said Mike Muller, CTO of ARM. “We believe the ARMv8 architecture is ideally suited to enable the ARM partnership to continue to grow in 32-bit application spaces and bring diverse, innovative and energy-efficient solutions to 64-bit processing markets.”
Based on the announcement, AMD has more to worry about than Intel. With the exception of handhelds, Intel has a strong foothold in most processor-based computing markets.
“AMD’s business model continues to be structurally challenged as the world sorts out how deeply ARM on Windows and ARM-based tablets will eat into the consumer and business PC segments,” said Craig Berger, an analyst with FBR.
“The basic question to be answered is whether AMD will remain the firm ‘No. 2’ to Intel’s x86 processors, or whether NVIDIA and other ARM on Windows suppliers will now become the alternative to Intel’s x86, and what role does AMD have in an ARM on Windows world? These questions, and AMD’s response to this challenging situation, will not be resolved or clarified anytime soon,” Berger said.
C.J. Muse, an analyst with Barclays Capital, agreed. “With ARM announcing support for 64-bit processing (removing a technical hurdle for ARM chips in servers), we see ARM a threat to AMD in the server segment as well,” Muse said.
The ARMv8 architecture specifications describing all aspects of the ARMv8 architecture are available now to partners under license. ARM will disclose processors based on ARMv8 during 2012, with consumer and enterprise prototype systems expected in 2014.
