The three aren't mutually exclusive I'm sure. Both the Apple A series and contemporary x86-64 CPUs can be considered superscalar and SIMD capable microprocessors. But it seems that Apple has focused more on the superscalar aspect, while Intel and AMD have focused more on the SIMD approach when designing their CPUs.
Also, due to the high core counts and SMT capabilities in Intel and AMD CPUs, wouldn't they also qualify as MIMD architectures?
Is it wrong to state this? The Apple A series uses NEON, which is 128 bit SIMD extension, while Intel currently uses vector widths up to 512 bit, and AMD up to 256 bit with two per core plus two FMA units.
So to the informed, I am asking these questions:
1) Superscalar and SIMD/MIMD obviously all have a tremendous impact on the overall design of the CPU. However, does supporting wider vectors come at the expense of superscalar IPC, and vice versa?
2) Do you think it's a mistake for AMD and Intel to adopt wider vector extensions into their CPU designs in the long term, especially if it comes at the expense of superscalar IPC?
3) Does SIMD + multicore/multithread = MIMD?
I can only say this as a hardware enthusiast and PC gamer, but I am very pleased with the evolutionary trajectory of the x86 CPU over the past decade. The focus on more cores as well as wider vectors and SMT has enabled CPUs to do things that were simply not possible before. I hope they keep it up!
Also, due to the high core counts and SMT capabilities in Intel and AMD CPUs, wouldn't they also qualify as MIMD architectures?
Is it wrong to state this? The Apple A series uses NEON, which is 128 bit SIMD extension, while Intel currently uses vector widths up to 512 bit, and AMD up to 256 bit with two per core plus two FMA units.
So to the informed, I am asking these questions:
1) Superscalar and SIMD/MIMD obviously all have a tremendous impact on the overall design of the CPU. However, does supporting wider vectors come at the expense of superscalar IPC, and vice versa?
2) Do you think it's a mistake for AMD and Intel to adopt wider vector extensions into their CPU designs in the long term, especially if it comes at the expense of superscalar IPC?
3) Does SIMD + multicore/multithread = MIMD?
I can only say this as a hardware enthusiast and PC gamer, but I am very pleased with the evolutionary trajectory of the x86 CPU over the past decade. The focus on more cores as well as wider vectors and SMT has enabled CPUs to do things that were simply not possible before. I hope they keep it up!