Talk Of VIA Getting Back Into The x86 CPU Space With Zhaoxin

[andreano]

> Does x86 emulation reduce the patent problems?
QEMU emulates an x86 CPU, and it is open source software, no intel license required. How is this different

That reasoning is a common fallacy. Free/libre/open source has nothing to do with giving you rights to use patents! In order to use a piece of software, you need to satisfy two groups: Those who made it, and those who might own any patents (for non-commercial software, the intersection between these groups is going to be the empty set). The software license is there to satisfy the first group. The thing about the second group is that nobody knows, and nobody cares! That's how it works.

Disclaimer: You may of course be right about Intel vs QEMU, but that would not be becase QEMU is open source.

[microcode]

QEMU emulates an x86 CPU, and it is open source software, no intel license required. How is this different from what is proposed here?

Damages (revenue).

[marccollin]

I am more curious about ARM with x86 emulation like Qualcomm is reportedly working on:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tiriasresearch/2017/06/16/intel-threatens-microsoft-and-qualcomm-over-x86-emulation/#6e7dd70346c4

If there are 2 additional competitors in the x86 space (via++, Qualcomm) with advanced fab capabilities it will be very interesting for consumers.

video demonstration showed basic thing lag

[WolfpackN64]

As a little reminder:
iirc. the Isaiah stuff is comparable to something about AMD Kabini level and few of them can probably be bought in readily soldered complete systems (thin clients maybe).
Transmeta also "emulated" a x86 CPU. They had a RISC design and their code morphing SW did a translation from x86 binary code to something that the RISC could process. Basically a genius concept since RISC is less error prone, low power AND you can update and add any x86-additional instruction sets (e.g. new SSE variants) just with a FW update (well, it's on a different paper how long this can be done with good performance in the hardware). But this also was x86 to the outside.

Zhaoxin, however, might be aiming for a higher performance level that the usual VIA HTPC/embedded solutions we know. But it remains to be seen if they really can live up to their claims...

Aren't you thinking about NexGen? Transmeta used a VLIW design, not RISC.

[Adarion]

As a little reminder:
iirc. the Isaiah stuff is comparable to something about AMD Kabini level and few of them can probably be bought in readily soldered complete systems (thin clients maybe).
Transmeta also "emulated" a x86 CPU. They had a RISC design and their code morphing SW did a translation from x86 binary code to something that the RISC could process. Basically a genius concept since RISC is less error prone, low power AND you can update and add any x86-additional instruction sets (e.g. new SSE variants) just with a FW update (well, it's on a different paper how long this can be done with good performance in the hardware). But this also was x86 to the outside.

Zhaoxin, however, might be aiming for a higher performance level that the usual VIA HTPC/embedded solutions we know. But it remains to be seen if they really can live up to their claims...

[starshipeleven]

How many x86 licenses are "floating" around anyway?

Afaik only AMD and VIA have the licenses (plus Intel of course).

Russians also manufacture CPU's for their internal military-industrial complex (under code name "Elbrus").

Chinese could simply want the same. If so, then " non-competitive" performance and "older manufacturing process" are something they care very little about.

Chinese had their Elbrus equivalent since 2010 at least, it's called Longsoon. Newer ones have hardware-assisted x86 emulation too.

It seems they want to step up their game with this, assuming it is real at all.

[aht0]

You really are daft if you expect Chinese CPU to be more secure than American. If it's something thats meant for export anyway.

How many x86 licenses are "floating" around anyway? Russians also manufacture CPU's for their internal military-industrial complex (under code name "Elbrus").

Chinese could simply want the same. If so, then " non-competitive" performance and "older manufacturing process" are something they care very little about.

[Nille]

Interesting but what the world needs us an ARM based processor available to the whole market.

The World hasBillions of ARM bases Processors. We need a ARM Based Platform like the IBM-Compatible PC.

[oooverclocker]

I waited for this to happen. With AMD and Intel being located in the USA the Management Engine and PSP may be seen as potential hazard to human integrity. It could be expected that there will be projects in other global power nations.

I really hope for libre boot support soon as a reaction - otherwise this will cost both american companies many customers in the future.

[darkcoder]

Didn't follow the thread, but the 3.0+ GHz and 16nm are not making it competitive at all.