AMD and Intel Partner to Enhance x86 Architecture and Counter Arm Competition

In the ongoing rivalry between AMD and Intel, often referred to as Team Red and Team Blue, both companies have been in relentless competition to dominate the x86 market. However, there is an emerging competitor in the form of the ARM architecture, which fundamentally differs from both AMD and Intel and poses a significant threat to their existence.

Known for its remarkable efficiency, the ARM architecture has long been the foundation of chipsets for mobile devices. Roughly a decade ago, Intel’s x86 chips ruled the desktop and server markets without question. Now, things are swiftly changing. Apple has already switched from Intel processors to its proprietary M-series chips, and recently, Microsoft has begun offering a range of Qualcomm Copilot+ PCs that do not incorporate AMD or Intel technology.

The challenge from ARM is undeniable, and it seems AMD and Intel are beginning to recognize their common adversary. Both companies have just unveiled the formation of a new organization called the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group, aimed at enhancing the x86 architecture and its 64-bit variant, known as AMD64, which AMD licenses to Intel. This initiative is designed to improve the ecosystem built around this technology.

According to a recent press release from the two companies, they outlined the group’s main objectives:

The primary goal of this advisory group is to bring together industry leaders to influence the future of x86, promoting innovation among developers through a standardized set of architectural instructions and interfaces. This initiative will improve compatibility, predictability, and consistency across various x86 product lines.

To succeed in these efforts, the group will gather technical feedback from the x86 hardware and software sectors concerning critical features and functions.

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The anticipated results of this collaboration include:

• Increased customer choice and compatibility among hardware and software, enabling faster access to new and advanced features.
• Facilitated and more efficient integration of new capabilities into operating systems, frameworks, and applications.

Microsoft is notably one of the founding members of this group. Other significant contributors include Broadcom, Dell, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., Lenovo, Meta, Oracle, and Red Hat. Furthermore, influential figures such as Linus Torvalds and Tim Sweeney are part of this initiative.

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