3 ms·
I don't think there is a technical reason why a chip based on the x86 ISA could not be just as efficient as one based on Apple's ARM-variation. And AMD (and pr
by throwaway4good 4y ago
I don't think there is a technical reason why a chip based on the x86 ISA could not be just as efficient as one based on Apple's ARM-variation.
And AMD (and probably Intel soon) has access to the same process technology as Apple so I think it is only a matter of time before you will see a catch up.
- cowtools 4y agoI would imagine that any implementation of x86 would have to bear the weight of reverse-compatibility. With reverse comparability, the bad design decisions just compound, for example complicated stuff like memory synchronization https://youtu.be/KeLBd2EJLOU?t=2956 https://youtu.be/KeLBd2EJLOU?t=2956
- layer8 4y agoExactly. I wish it wasn’t the case, but x86 compatibility will always come at a cost, in particular due to memory semantics, but also I believe due to its complex ISA requiring more silicon.
- throwaway4good 4y agoIt would have been a critical factor if this was circuits with a few thousands transistors. Here is an article on the subject; I am sure you can find others: https://chipsandcheese.com/2021/07/13/arm-or-x86-isa-doesnt-matter/ https://chipsandcheese.com/2021/07/13/arm-or-x86-isa-doesnt-... ARM or x86? ISA Doesn’t Matter