Intel is seeking feedback for x86S, a 64-bit-only version of x86 for future processors.

Posted by Affectionate-Memory4@reddit | hardware | View on Reddit | 231 comments

[https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/articles/technical/envisioning-future-simplified-architecture.html](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/articles/technical/envisioning-future-simplified-architecture.html) [The full proposal PDF can be downloaded here or from within the article.](https://cdrdv2.intel.com/v1/dl/getContent/776648) I'll leave it up to you to read the full thing from the link above, but a few key points I can share as an SoC engineer with Intel are below. These are also in the article, but I figured I'd share the major changes here. My degree is in computer engineering and I'm in the middle of my masters degree in processor architecture design. I don't deal directly with silicon design currently, but I do prototype testing and package-level engineering. I'm still happy to try to clarify things or point you to a place where you can find out more. ​ * Current Intel CPUs boot into the same state as the original 8086, and require multiple steps to get into the operating mode we are all familiar with. This requires multiple levels of "trampolining" to other states to start up a processor. This will be replaced by a 64-bit startup mode. * Only 64-bit UEFI is supported currently, and that will not change drastically. * 16-bit addressing support will be totally removed. * Rings 1 and 2 will be removed as they are no longer used by modern software. * Ring 3 support for I/O access will be ended. * String port I/O will be eliminated as it is outdated. * APIC use will be limited to X2APIC, and 8259 mode support will be removed. * Legacy operating systems will run via a hardware emulation layer.