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Intel is currently sampling its new 64-bit processor, the Itanium. This processor, code-named the Merced, will feature a 64-bit data path and is an entirely new architecture. The Itanium processor is not derived from the x86 family of processors -- it incorporates a technology called EPIC (Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing). This allows processes to communicate directly with the processor when instructions can be done in parallel. EPIC relies on the compiler to show the processor where parallelism lies in the code. EPIC also requires compilers to bundle code in 128-bit batches.

Techniques like improved prediction and aggressive speculation further improve efficiency. Aggressive speculation moves high-latency instructions, like loads, up in the code stack. Aggressive speculation will cause the processor to begin the load process before it knows whether it needs the data.

Other features include 128 floating-point registers, 128 integer registers and two precision floating-point units. All in all, this processor really packs a wallop. The only gotcha is that to take advantage of all this high technology, you'll need to recompile your software for the new architecture. Your old software will still run; it just might be slower than it would be on a Pentium III or Pentium III Xeon processor. The clock speed of the new processor also raises concerns. Current samples of the Itanium are at a much slower clock speed than the Pentium IV. Consumers might go with the Pentium IV simply because of the perception that greater clock speeds equal greater performance.