Technically, the chips are code-named Nocona for dual-processor systems, Prescott for single-processor systems and Potomac for four-processor systems, and the 32/64-bit capability goes by the code name Clackamas Technology.
Although this means that Intel could bring a 32/64-bit chip to PCs soon, Barrett said the company has no plans do so in the near future. There are a few good reasons for this, PC executives and analysts have said for some time. Very little desktop software exists for 64-bit desktops, and the amount of memory that would go into a 64-bit desktop would greatly escalate the price.
Prescott indeholder allerede 64-bit instruktionerne, men de er disabled. Der var megen spekulation over hvorfor Prescott nødvendigvis ville indeholde 125 millioner transistorer, fordi det var unaturligt mange i forhold til de ændringer som der var annonceret indeholdt i processoren. Mange spekulerede at Prescott indeholdt 64-bit instruktioner også, og det viser sig at være sandt. Det samme gjorde intel da de frigav Willamette, der indeholdt processoren også "Jackson Technology", bedre kendt som Hyperthreading.
Meget interessant udvikling må jeg indrømme, jeg glæder mig til at se hvordan det vil gå når 64-bit software langsomt bliver mere og mere udbredt, det nye kapløb er startet :e
Mvh. Uffe