Microsoft and Intel Announce 64-bit Windows Running on Merced Processor

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, PALM SPRINGS, CALIF., August 31, 1999 — Microsoft® Windows® operating system is booting and running on engineering prototype systems based on Intel’s Merced processor. Successfully running 64-bit Windows on the initial Merced processors represents a key milestone for both Intel and Microsoft in the development of complete IA-64 architecture solutions. Intel demonstrated 64-bit Windows running on a Merced processor-based system at its Intel Developer’s Forum.

The Merced processor incorporates extensive multiprocessing scalability, new high availability features, powerful floating-point extensions, and multimedia specific instructions. Combined with the advanced scalability, high availability, and large memory support of 64-bit Windows, these enterprise class solutions will address the most demanding digital business needs such as e-commerce, data mining, memory intensive high-end graphics, complex mathematics and high performance multimedia applications.

“We are very pleased with the outstanding progress Microsoft has made on the development of its 64-bit Windows operating system for Intel’s Merced processor,”
said Albert Yu, senior vice president, general manager, Intel’s Microprocessor Product Group.
“64-bit Windows running on our first IA-64 processor, Merced, will provide a solid foundation for e-business applications when the Merced processor moves into production next year.”

“The amazing results delivered by Intel’s Merced design team along with our 64-bit Windows operating system will provide enterprise customers with the capabilities they need for scalable, high performance business computing solutions in an increasingly Internet-based world,”
said Jim Allchin, senior vice president of the Platforms Group, Microsoft.
“Microsoft and Intel will continue to work together and with the industry to ensure the combination of Microsoft’s 64-bit Windows and Intel’s IA-64 processor family meet the demanding needs of customers and partners when Merced based systems become commercially available later next year.”

Microsoft’s 64-bit Windows operating system will maintain backward compatibility with current 32-bit applications since both the 32-bit Windows 2000 family and 64-bit Windows use a common source code base and share the same programming model. Independent software vendors and line of business application developers are already prepared to take advantage of 64-bit Windows and Intel’s IA-64 architecture by using the Windows 2000 Software Developer Kit (SDK) and Windows 2000 Device Driver Kit (DDK) which is available now. Applications written with current versions of the SDK and DDK can easily be recompiled to optimally run in the 64-bit Windows environment since both products share common source code.

Availability

Microsoft is committed to releasing a beta version of 64-bit Windows in the first half of 2000, and expects to release 64-bit Windows, production developer tools and key BackOffice® family applications (e.g., Microsoft SQL Server TM ) with commercial Merced systems availability later next year. Final system requirements, pricing and packaging will be announced separately.

About Intel

Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

Related Posts