2023-05-20 09:54:38
The moment had to come, just as its corresponding day will come. Intel has taken the first step where after more than 20 years of existence, the company announces in an extensive Whitepaper that it says goodbye to many parts of its architectures inherited from those years, giving way to what they call a arquitectura 64-Bit Mode-Only. That is to say, one where the new CPUs are freed from almost all traces of years ago to offer various improvements in the new processors. Welcome to Intel X86-Sthe future of CPUs.
Let no one be scared, because what comes from Intel is the most logical step that could be taken, and even so they are late in the opinion of a server. This new architecture establishes one more step as was already done with Operating Systems, where currently can’t install 32 bit OS, mainly because neither Intel nor AMD natively support those versions. Well, the concept is similar, although not so abrupt from the point of view of architecture.
Intel X86-S: the architecture that will simplify CPUs
And that is the objective, to leave behind almost everything inherited from previous generations and focus a point, put a pillar, from where the future of processors pivots. It is not a full stop, but a point and followedwhere all compatibilities with the software as such will not be broken, because, for example, 32-bit software can continue to be used, although already in the ring 3.
As we say, it is about breaking with inherited modes that are useless in modern OSes, such as Windows 11. Currently and for more than two decades, these parts have been dragging on modern architectures, adding complications to the designs, but above all, allowing two things that nobody wants: always-on security, less CPU efficiency.
For this reason, Intel gives two examples of what it is intended to achieve:
- CPU startup (SIPI) starts today in “real address mode” (Real Mode) and need a 64 bit replacement. A 64-bit Reset State removes the various stages of the “state of trampoline” to enter 64-bit operation.
- Today, the use of pages of 5 levels requires disabling paging, which requires going back to non-paged legacy mode. In the proposed architecture, it is possible to switch to 5-level paging without exiting paged mode.
Some of the benefits of a 64-Bit Mode-Only architecture
By simplifying the architecture in the hardware part, it is also possible to improve the software part, such as the drivers, or the implementations with the Windows kernel, but also, implement a series of changes that go hand in hand with current modern software and above all , future. Intel cites some of these changes, although there are many more, since there are 46 pages in document.
The most striking ones are cited as follows:
- Use the 64-bit simplified segmentation model for segmentation support in 32-bit applications, matching what modern operating systems already use.
- Elimination of ring 1 and 2 (which are not used in modern software) and deprecated segmentation functions like gates.
- Removing support for 16-bit addressing.
- Removed support for port access E/S of ring 3.
- String port I/O removalwhich supported a CPU-controlled I/O model, which was deprecated.
- Limit the use of the local interrupt handler (APIC) towards X2APIC and remove legacy 8259 support.
- Removal of some unused “OS mode” bits.
There are many implications here, we recommend you visit the PDF completo In case you have any technical questions. What we’ve seen is that moving to Intel X86-S will have interesting implications, such as increased security and simplification from a security standpoint.
This will also be of interesting importance when designing new architectures, because it cleans up parts of the die that previously had to be reserved for different ISAs and instructions. The gain will be small, however, it is more a matter of removing what no longer serves as such, and being able to make changes more easily, such as removing ring 1 and ring 2, leaving 3 pretty clean.
Will it be possible to continue using 32-bit programs and games?
Until now, all the compatibility consumed a minimal fraction of energy, since it had to be always enabled, and as we have seen, even at startup. The gain here will be residual in terms of efficiency, but since it simplifies the design of each CPU, they may be able to improve there, as the layout of elements can be further optimized.
If you’re wondering if this move to Intel X86-S will mean you can’t use your old 32-bit software, the answer is that surely you can. It will continue to have support in ring 3, somewhat limited, yes, some program may not end up working correctly, but it is expected that they will really be less.
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