Reading on Wikipedia, manufacturing x86 chips requires a license from Intel for more advanced features, the 64-bit variant of x86 also requires a license from AMD. Is this really possible?
Reading on Wikipedia, manufacturing x86 chips requires a license from Intel for more advanced features, the 64-bit variant of x86 also requires a license from AMD. Is this really possible?
Yes it is possible and it is required. The cou microcode is patented and licensed. It’s why arm is such a unique and cool thing, arm is open and does not require a license. However converting enetirr architectures to arm is no small task.
Arm is not open and requires a license.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/10/report-arm-cancels-qualcomms-architecture-license-endangering-its-chip-business/
RISC-V might be what they’re thinking of. An open-source architecture developed on the same principles as ARM.
Getting better all the time, though always seems to be several steps behind ARM in terms of performance. But the gap is narrowing.
Doesn’t ARM require an architectural license even if you aren’t borrowing IP cores? Apple paid big bucks for one.
Hopefully RISC-V takes over at some point.