[mpreston]

The reason they have to call it IA-32e is because there is a lot more to Opterons than just 64 bit instructions. Intel's architectural direction cannot be changed overnight. Server Opterons use multiple hypertransport buses. The Opteron has also integrated the memory controller to eliminate processor the memory controller latency. On top of that the Opterons efficiency per clock cycle is superior to Intel. That is why Intel has to run at 3+ GHz to match a 2 GHz Opteron. Intel also has a power dissipation problem. So much so that the newer processors aren't certified in the small form factor chassis. Now add on top of that more cells switching for 64 bit "extensions" and it will be even hotter. Opterons also scale out to 4 ways while Intels architecture does not. Intel still has a long ways to go to catch up to AMD. The 64 bit "extensions" are just the first very small step.

As for stocks, INTC spent most of the day negative, ending down 0.4% while AMD was up all day ending up about 2.5%.

Intel and the markets just validated AMD's 64 bit product.

[Dead Corpse]

I think it'd be neat if AMD got a speed bump up when they switch to 90nm die size. It didn't seem to make a difference for Intel. Not an appreciable bump at least.