plug wrote:
> AMD64 chips process 64-bit data and instructions, do they not?
> -Erik
> 
>>>>alex.c.earl@intel.com 04/15/04 1:23 PM >>>
> 
> The Itanium processor is a true 64-bit processor, whereas the AMD64 (if
> you are referring to Opteron) is just a 64-bit extension set to the IA32
> architecture. 

What I've always understood is the other way around.  The opteron is a 
true 64bit processor with a 32bit emulation layer.  It doesn't really 
make sense to add a 64bit extension layer to a 32bit chip, we can 
already do that with software and or motherboard hardware.  There are 
already 32bit motherboards that support more ram than is technically 
addressable by a 32bit processor, which is one of 64bit platforms key 
benefits, and Linux supports those boards.

AMD's data sheet seems to back me up:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/23932.pdf

Brian Cluff
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