Re: [chat] If I may use the word "fuqrs"...

[Mike Lake <Mike.Lake@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, Jun 26, 2001 at 07:17:19PM +1000, Terry Collins wrote:
> David Kempe wrote:
> > > This sucks.
> > I don't see the big deal. So what Compaq are moving to Itanium?
> Yep, everything.
> Bad for competition really. We need chip competition and this reduces
> the alternatives to Intel.

Currently Alpha chips are actually made in Intel owned fabs under an
legal agreement. That amazed me at the time but once Intel owns Alpha they
will not want a processor that competes with Itanium. OK you say it won't
compete as it is aimed at a different market - say high end floating point
apps. But the Alpha chips takes up silicon processing slots in the fab.
Having worked in a fab making VGA clock chips I know you can't just swap
from one prcess to another quickly or easily so chips must pay their way.
Why would Intel make Alphas when that same line could churn out Itaniums
which were easier to sell.

"Compaq will consolidate its entire 64-bit family of servers onto the Itanium
microprocessor architecture by 2004. In one bold stroke, Compaq is extending
its 10 years of leadership 
[crap - it was DIGITAL]
in 64-bit computing for the next decade and beyond. 
Compaq will deliver an additional generation of Alpha technology
(EV7) to advance system performance prior to the new generation of the
Itanium-based systems, for which the company will provide tools and support
for a smooth customer transition."

Yep the Alpha is being killed off and the Linux port will die with it. It
might take 5 years but then you have only Intel as a hardware plaform.

Mike :-( sad Alpha owner.
-- 
He hadn't a single redeeming vice. -- Oscar Wilde

Michael Lake, University of Technology, Sydney
Work: Mike.Lake@xxxxxxxxxx Ph: 02 9514 1724 Fx: 02 9514 1628 
Home: http://www.speleonics.com.au
Linux enthusiast, active caver and interested in anything technical.
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