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Intel Publishes "X86-S" Specification For 64-bit Only Architecture
Intel quietly released a new whitepaper and specification for their proposal on "X86-S" as a 64-bit only x86 architecture. If their plans workout, in the years ahead we could see a revised 64-bit only x86 architecture.
Entitled "Envisioning a Simplified Intel Architecture", Intel engineers lay the case for a 64-bit mode-only architecture. Intel is still said to be investigating the 64-bit mode-only architecture that they also refer to as "x86S". Intel is hoping to solicit industry feedback while they continue to explore a 64-bit mode only ISA.
[...] Under this proposal, those wanting to run legacy 32-bit operating systems would have to rely on virtualization. To further clarify, 32-bit x86 user-space software would continue to work on modern 64-bit operating systems with X86-S.
Also at Tom's Hardware.
(Score: 3, Informative) by maxwell demon on Monday May 22, @07:50PM (5 children)
The practical implications are that you no longer will be able to run 32 bit operating systems.
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by SomeGuy on Monday May 22, @08:21PM (2 children)
Given how locked down and lobotomized modern computers are, they are all going in that direction even if the CPU supports it or not. Seriously, how many even still have IBM PC BIOS compatibility? Microsoft already dropped the 32-bit OS version in Windows 11, and soon won't support Windows 10 32-bit. The nanosecond support ends, vendors will all magically delete their 32-bit drivers. Thanks to secure (money) boot, soon nothing will boot earlier media. If you haven't tried a 32-bit Linux lately, the few that are left are bloated pigs.
Personally, I hate not being able to run 32-bit OSes if I want to. But I'm the only one left on this planet that cares.
(Score: 2) by turgid on Monday May 22, @08:58PM (1 child)
There are a lot of very important industrial embedded systems that are 32-bit and require 32-bit operating systems.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Tuesday May 23, @02:18PM
Their clear subtext was "...on post-modern PCs that don't exist yet"
Existing embedded systems aren't going to be affected in the slightest. Nor will future embedded systems that continue to use 32-bit processors.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday May 23, @01:51PM (1 child)
There are always virtual machines and hypervisors.
Maybe some clever motherboard firmware could have an emulator that allows booting a 32 bit OS in emulation. Maybe several at once. Why not emulate other processors such as ARM and RISC V.
While Republicans can get over Trump's sexual assaults, affairs, and vulgarity; they cannot get over Obama being black.
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Tuesday May 23, @02:22PM
And emulators like PCem for greater compatibility.
Seems kind of silly to include an emulator in firmware... but hardly the silliest thing I've seen. Remind me again who thought it would be a good idea to let you boot into a firmware-based web browser that realistically never gets security updates?