Microsoft commits to AMD flavour of 64-bit Windows

By Alun Williams

Posted on 10 Apr 2003 at 12:55

Microsoft is to produce 64-bit versions of its Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems for AMD processors.

The native versions will be for AMD's soon-to-appear Opteron processor for servers and workstations, and upcoming 64-bit Athlon processors, for both desktops and notebooks.

Beta releases from Microsoft are expected to appear this summer.

Microsoft emphasises that a 64-bit architecture, with the ability to run current 32-bit apps, will give flexibility for the longer-term adoption of 64-bit applications as they become available.

Particular beneficiaries of 64-bit computing will include CAD systems, engineering and scientific research, data warehousing, and multimedia projects such as digital content creation and video editing.

As you would expect, AMD welcomed the move by Microsoft. 'AMD and Microsoft each have a history of making technology accessible and productive for the businesses and individuals who use it,' said Dirk Meyer, senior VP of AMD's Computation Products Group. 'Native 64-bit Microsoft Windows on AMD provides customers a high-performance 32-bit application platform together with an easy migration path to the power of 64-bit computing.'

Microsoft, similarly, emphasised the possible performance gains of 64-bit computing. 'We are pleased to help usher in a new era of business value by extending our ongoing investment in 64-bit computing to the AMD platform,' said Brian Valentine, senior BP of Microsoft's Windows Division. 'Microsoft's 64-bit Windows operating systems represent an inflection point leading to higher performance and greater efficiency for businesses and consumers.'

While this announcement will not be welcome news to Intel, Microsoft has already shipped a 64-bit version of Windows for Intel's Itanium server processor.

Accompanying the release of the 64-bit Itanium 2, back in July 2002, Microsoft has announced its support of the new processor with Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition Version 1.2.

AMD's Opteron processor is due to be released 22 April.