Intel and AMD announced a joint move to form a group ensuring software compatibility across their x86 chips in a strategic response to the challenge posed by Arm Holdings in both the PC and data center markets, Reuters news report said.
Here’s how Intel and AMD plan to challenge Arm:
- Improving Software Compatibility Across x86 Chips:
Historically, while Intel and AMD both use the x86 architecture, software developers sometimes needed to tweak applications to ensure they run smoothly on both chipmakers’ hardware. This inconsistency has become a competitive disadvantage, especially compared to Arm’s ecosystem, where chips from different vendors can universally run the same software.
By forming an advisory group with other industry players, Intel and AMD aim to create a more unified and streamlined x86 ecosystem where software works seamlessly across both of their chips, making the x86 platform more attractive to developers and customers.
- Competing with Arm’s Ecosystem Advantage:
Arm’s strength lies in its licensing model, which allows numerous companies (like Apple and Qualcomm) to design their chips based on Arm’s architecture, ensuring that all Arm-based chips are software-compatible. This creates a robust ecosystem where applications can run on a variety of devices without modification.
To counter this, Intel and AMD are leveraging their partnership and the new advisory group to ensure that x86-based chips offer a similar level of cross-compatibility and developer ease, helping to reduce the friction developers face when building for x86 versus Arm.
- Industry Collaboration to Strengthen x86’s Future:
The involvement of major companies like Broadcom, Dell, Lenovo, and Oracle in the advisory group signals a broader industry alignment to bolster x86’s competitiveness. These companies rely on Intel and AMD for their computing infrastructure, and by backing this effort, they reinforce the ecosystem’s commitment to x86’s future.
This alliance shows that Intel and AMD are not just focusing on hardware performance but also on fostering a cooperative software environment that ensures the longevity and relevance of the x86 architecture.
- Responding to Arm’s Growing Data Center Influence:
Arm has been steadily gaining market share in data centers, traditionally dominated by x86. Major cloud providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are increasingly using Arm-based chips in their servers due to the architecture’s power efficiency and flexibility.
By improving software compatibility and working together on future architectural enhancements, Intel and AMD are hoping to make x86 a more appealing option for cloud providers, reducing the need to switch to Arm-based solutions.
- Enhancing x86 for the Future:
Beyond just addressing current challenges, Intel and AMD’s collaboration aims to guide the long-term evolution of the x86 architecture. As workloads evolve, especially in AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing, x86 needs to keep pace with Arm’s growing footprint in these areas.
The joint effort could lead to innovations and architectural enhancements that ensure x86 remains competitive in the emerging computing landscape.
CEO Quotes from Founding Members
Broadcom President and CEO Hock Tan
“The x86 architectural decisions we make today will affect programming models, frameworks and systems for decades to come. Broadcom looks forward to lending its industry perspective to the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group as a pioneer in silicon development and x86 virtualization with VMware.”
Dell Technologies Chairman and CEO Michael Dell
“Dell has a long history of working with the x86 platform. We look forward to collaborating with Intel, AMD and fellow x86 Advisory Group members to continue driving innovation for our customers and partners.”
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian
“Google will join x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group to help shape the future of computing. Taking a pan-industry approach ensures consistent implementations, which aligns with Google’s commitment to fostering innovation and providing the best possible experience for our developers and users.”
Hewlett Packard Enterprise President and CEO Antonio Neri
“HPE is the founding member of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group, helping shape a consistent future architecture with innovative new features that meet customers’ evolving computing needs.”
HP President and CEO Enrique Lores
“At HP, we believe that the future of work will require technology that drives growth and fulfillment for both employees and the companies they work for. Building a more efficient, secure, and customizable x86 ecosystem will help accelerate this evolution.”
Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang
“Lenovo is one of the founding members of this important new advisory group, given our role in the industry for the past decade. When we work together as an industry ecosystem, we all benefit, but more importantly, so do our customers. I’m looking forward to sharing our technical expertise as we collectively accelerate the growing x86 market across client, edge and cloud.”
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella
“x86 has been foundational to modern computing for over four decades, and we want to ensure it continues to evolve and benefit everyone going forward. By bringing together partners across the industry, the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Board will play a critical role in shaping future x86 architectural features and help drive software consistency and standard interfaces.”
Oracle CEO Safra Catz
“The x86 architecture has a profound impact on the computing industry, driving innovations through constant evolution. As a long-time partner with both AMD and Intel, Oracle is proud to be a founding member of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group. We are committed to addressing customer needs by delivering technological advancements and fostering collaboration across the ecosystem.”
Red Hat President and CEO Matt Hicks
“Red Hat believes that hybrid cloud computing represents the path forward for innovative IT, from cloud-native applications and services to AI and intelligent workloads. Forming the foundation of these great leaps forward is architecture choice, specifically standardized and well-defined architectures like x86. We’re pleased to be a founding member of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group and look forward to serving as part of the industry vanguard in furthering x86 technologies as a cornerstone of IT’s innovative future.”
