HP Workstations response to the Intel® 64-bit extension announcement

What did Intel announce at the Intel Developer forum on February 17-18, 2004?
Intel announced a feature enhancement to their Intel Xeon processor architecture that will add 64-bit extensions. The new processor will be called Intel Xeon^TM with 64-bit extension technology.

What is HP Workstations' response to that announcement?
HP is pleased to support Intel's enhancement of their next generation of Intel Xeon products. Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology will be rolled into the next generation of HP's Intel Xeon-based workstations.

What value should 64-bit extensions bring to personal workstations?
Today's 32-bit operating systems limit users to 32-bits (4GB) of memory address space. This limits the type and amount of I/O and the amount of physical memory which can be configured.

I/O cards with onboard memory (e.g. graphics) and the system memory both consume the same address space. When I/O cards with large memory are present, this leaves less addressable space, thus limiting the amount of physical memory one can put in a system. Some examples can be shown where physical system memory is actually limited to less than 3GB.

A 64-bit architecture should expand addressable memory space from 4GB to 18 billion GB. This should allow the large I/O products to work in harmony with 4GB, and above, physical memory.

How will customers benefit from Intel's announcement?
Customers should be able to support configurations that require larger than 4GB of address space to aid in the design and manipulation of large data sets or models.

This enhancement to Intel's processor portfolio should provide customers with a "friendly" transition path from 32-bit to 64-bit computing, since support for both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems is planned.

When will HP offer Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology in their workstation product line?
Our Intel Xeon-based workstations will be time to market with the availability of Intel Xeon processors with 64-bit extension technology from Intel.

Will Intel Pentium be available with 64-bit extensions?
Yes. Intel announced that Intel Pentium with 64-bit extensions will be available sometime in the second half of 2004.

How will performance of Intel's Xeon with 64-bit extension technology compare with AMD Opteron^TM processor performance?
No formal performance tests have been completed. HP expects application performance of the Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology processor should be comparable to AMD Opteron™ performance.

Will all Windows applications that run on Intel Xeon today run on Inel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology?
Current 32-bit applications should run on Intel Xeon with 64-bit extensions under 32-bit operating systems. On 64-bit operating systems, there may be some exceptions where 32-bit applications may need 64-bit updates.

What types of applications does HP expect to take advantage of the Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology?
At this time, HP expects applications that require large memory (greater than 4GB) to benefit from this new architecture, including applications specifically for MCAD, oil & gas, science & research and EDA.

Is Microsoft® committed to supporting Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology?
Although HP cannot speak for Microsoft; they have publicly announced support for the Windows® 64-bit extended operating system.

I don't need 64-bit today. Why would I move to Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology?
Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology is not a special architecture just for users with 64-bit addressing needs. Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology is the follow-on processor to today's existing Intel Xeon family. Buying a workstation powered by Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology provides you with best in class Intel Xeon performance for your 32-bit applications and the flexibility to change to a 64-bit operating system at a later date on the same workstation, should your computing needs change.

What will set HP's Intel Xeon with 64-bit extension technology-based workstations apart from our competition's 64-bit platforms?

• HP is leading the industry to industry-standard 64-bit computing technology.
• HP has been developing 64-bit systems and operating systems for 20+ years.
• HP has an understanding of customer needs, operating systems, applications, hardware and customer needs that is unmatched by anyone in the industry.