Intel's RISC: worth the wait? (64-bit chip executes up to three instructions per clock cycle) (reduced-instruction-set-computer) (product announcement)

EDN, March, 1989 by Harbert, Tammi

Intel's RISC: Worth the wait? NEW YORK, NY--After eschewing true RISC architecture for years, Intel previewed its 1M-transistor, 64-bit RISC [mu]P at the 32nd annual IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference held here last month. The chip's arrival is an admission by the company that reduced-instruction-set computing has something to offer high-end systems.

A company spokesperson admitted that Intel's existing architecture was insufficient to serve all the needs of mini-computer vendors and workstation vendors.

Intel is sampling the chip, named the Model i860, to selected customers. But the device won't be available until late this year. It uses a parallel architecture that incorporates a 32-bit reduced-instruction-set core for data...

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