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Vol. 3 19-1
CHAPTER 19
ARCHITECTURE COMPATIBILITY
Intel 64 and IA-32 processors are binary compatible. Compatibility means that,
within limited constraints, programs that execute on previous generations of proces-
sors will produce identical results when executed on later processors. The compati-
bility constraints and any implementation differences between the Intel 64 and IA-32
processors are described in this chapter.
Each new processor has enhanced the software visible architecture from that found
in earlier Intel 64 and IA-32 processors. Those enhancements have been defined
with consideration for compatibility with previous and future processors. This chapter
also summarizes the compatibility considerations for those extensions.
19.1 PROCESSOR FAMILIES AND CATEGORIES
IA-32 processors are referred to in several different ways in this chapter, depending
on the type of compatibility information being related, as described in the following:
• IA-32 Processors — All the Intel processors based on the Intel IA-32 Archi-
tecture, which include the 8086/88, Intel 286, Intel386, Intel486, Pentium,
Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium 4, and Intel Xeon processors.
• 32-bit Processors — All the IA-32 processors that use a 32-bit architecture,
which include the Intel386, Intel486, Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II,
Pentium III, Pentium 4, and Intel Xeon processors.
• 16-bit Processors — All the IA-32 processors that use a 16-bit architecture,
which include the 8086/88 and Intel 286 processors.
• P6 Family Processors — All the IA-32 processors that are based on the P6
microarchitecture, which include the Pentium Pro, Pentium II, and Pentium III
processors.
• Pentium 4 Processors — A family of IA-32 and Intel 64 processors that are
based on the Intel NetBurst microarchitecture.
• Intel Pentium M Processors — A family of IA-32 processors that are based on
the Intel Pentium M processor microarchitecture.
• Intel Core Duo and Solo Processors — Families of IA-32 processors that are
based on an improved Intel Pentium M processor microarchitecture.
• Intel Xeon Processors — A family of IA-32 and Intel 64 processors that are
based on the Intel NetBurst microarchitecture. This family includes the Intel Xeon
processor and the Intel Xeon processor MP based on the Intel NetBurst microar
-
chitecture. Intel Xeon processors 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3200, 5100, 5200,
5300, 5400, 7200, 7300 series are based on Intel Core microarchitectures and
support Intel 64 architecture.