Date: Sun, 23 May 1999 14:43:27 +0200
To: pgcc AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: K7 potentials
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In-Reply-To: <37458AD6.F3DA19D1@informatik.hu-berlin.de>; from Jens-Uwe Rumstich on Fri, May 21, 1999 at 04:33:26PM +0000
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From: Marc Lehmann <pcg AT goof DOT com>
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On Fri, May 21, 1999 at 04:33:26PM +0000, Jens-Uwe Rumstich wrote:
> Of course I know, that most modern x86-CPUs have hidden registers, but
> IMHO
> its still a difference compared with having direct access to these
> registers.

IMnsHO as well ;) It allows much better tuning on the compiler's side as
well. It is, however, a relatively cheap and effective technique (compared
to recompiling ll existing software ;)

> > (No kidding, I expect compressed assembly in the next years, x86 already
> > comes close!)
> 
> Isnīt EPIC pretty close to this? I heard, there are 3 instructions in
> one
> 128bit value. It would come even closer to compressed assembly IMHO :-)

I don't think so. The average x86 insn is (probably) 2-3 bytes. 40 bits
are already 5 bytes.

The 40 bit size looks like a very interesting trade-off (40 bits are quite
few for encoding instructions!)

> AMD plans to start Dresden in Q3/99 with 0.18 alumunium and convert to
> 0.18
> copper in Q1/2000 allready :-)
> Dresden is intended to produce K7 only, so the number of produced K7
> should
> rise quite fast :-)

Of course, its in Germany after all ;)

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