Découvrez la technologie MMX et ses limitations!

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Numeric Coprocessors
   • 2.1 The Role of Coprocessors
   • 2.2 The Arrival of MMX Technology
3. MMX Technology Explained
   • 3.1 What is MMX?
   • 3.2 Benefits of MMX Technology
4. SIMD: Single Instruction Multiple Data
   • 4.1 Understanding SIMD
   • 4.2 Parallel Processing with MMX
5. Applications of MMX Technology
   • 5.1 Multimedia Applications
   • 5.2 Video Capture Programs
   • 5.3 Graphical Manipulation Programs
   • 5.4 Games and Graphics
6. Intel's Strategic Decision
   • 6.1 The Shift Towards System Processors
   • 6.2 The Impact on Video Capture Boards
7. MMX-Compatible CPUs
   • 7.1 The First MMX-Compatible CPU: MMX
   • 7.2 The Pentium 2: Simultaneous Processing Power
   • 7.3 The Pentium 2 Family
8. Conclusion

Numeric Coprocessors

Previously on Bite-Size, we explored the world of numeric coprocessors. Today, we delve into the world of the apparent successor: matrix math coprocessors. While the need for coprocessors seemed to diminish with the advent of Pentium processors that integrated coprocessor circuitry, a new era arrived with the introduction of MMX technology.

Introduction

MMX technology, an enhancement to Intel CPUs, was designed to make PCs faster and more efficient in handling multimedia applications, interactive videos, virtual reality, 3D graphics, and communication tasks. With MMX, Intel introduced a set of 57 new instructions aimed at highly parallel operations for multimedia and communication data types.

Numeric Coprocessors: The Role of Coprocessors

Coprocessors played a crucial role in computation tasks, especially in multimedia applications that required parallel processing and the use of small integer data types. The 57 MMX instructions were specifically designed to speed up complex algorithms and improve overall application performance.

MMX Technology Explained: What is MMX?

MMX, although not officially an acronym, stands for multimedia extensions. It is provided by MMX versions of Intel chips and enables multimedia applications to perform tasks such as simultaneous real-time audio, TV-quality video, animation, and internet communication within the same application.

Benefits of MMX Technology

The 57 MMX instructions utilize a technique called Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD), allowing a single instruction to operate on multiple data pieces in parallel. For example, MMX can add up to eight 16-bit pairs together simultaneously, significantly accelerating parallel computation. MMX technology simplifies the development of matrix-oriented data applications, including video capture, graphical manipulation, Speech Recognition, and data compression.

SIMD: Single Instruction Multiple Data

SIMD is a parallel processing technique that enables a single instruction to be carried out on multiple data elements simultaneously. With MMX's SIMD capabilities, the processor can perform multiple computations in parallel, resulting in faster and more efficient multimedia processing.

Parallel Processing with MMX

MMX's SIMD feature utilizes 64-bit registers to operate on data elements. Depending on the operation, these registers can be defined as eight 8-bit bytes, four 16-bit words, two 32-bit double words, or one 64-bit quad word. The parallel processing power of MMX greatly benefits applications that require intensive matrix computations, graphics rendering, and multimedia tasks.

Applications of MMX Technology: Multimedia Applications

MMX technology caters to a wide range of multimedia applications. It enables developers to create software that handles multiple channels of audio, high-quality video, animations, and internet communication simultaneously within a single application. This provides users with a more immersive and engaging multimedia experience.

Applications of MMX Technology: Video Capture Programs

For video capture programs, MMX technology simplifies the processing of analog video signals by converting them into digital signals quickly. This enhancement allows for smoother and faster video processing, resulting in higher-quality video capture and editing capabilities.

Applications of MMX Technology: Graphical Manipulation Programs

Graphical manipulation programs, such as Paint Shop Pro, benefit from MMX's parallel processing capabilities. MMX instructions help accelerate tasks like image editing, filters, and effects, resulting in faster rendering and improved performance.

Applications of MMX Technology: Games and Graphics

MMX technology greatly enhances gaming experiences by allowing games to utilize advanced graphics and visual effects. The parallel processing power of MMX enables games to handle complex graphics rendering, leading to more immersive and visually stunning gameplay.

Intel's Strategic Decision: The Shift Towards System Processors

Intel made a strategic decision to shift towards system processors and offload more processing tasks onto the main processor. Instead of developing specialized video capture boards, Intel focused on enhancing the capabilities of their CPUs, making it easier for multimedia vendors to build more affordable boards that relied on the main processor.

The Impact on Video Capture Boards

This shift in strategy led to faster processor development but also put pressure on software developers to optimize their applications for the evolving processors. While MMX technology improved matrix operations, its activation depended on running MMX-aware software. Eventually, the market demanded faster processors, leading to the integration of MMX circuitry into CPUs.

MMX-Compatible CPUs: The First MMX-Compatible CPU: MMX

The first MMX-compatible CPU was called the MMX. It was a modified Pentium chip that introduced MMX circuitry. However, the Pentium chip did not have enough room to handle both floating-point and MMX support simultaneously. Hence, when running MMX-specific software on an MMX CPU, the floating-point support would be disabled, affecting the performance of floating-point calculations.

The Pentium 2: Simultaneous Processing Power

To address the limitations of the original MMX CPU, Intel released the Pentium 2. This CPU had the capability to simultaneously run MMX commands and floating-point commands, providing users with the best of both worlds. The Pentium 2 family included lower-priced models like the Celeron and high-performance models like the Busyon, all with MMX circuitry integrated from the beginning.

Conclusion

MMX technology revolutionized multimedia processing by introducing parallel processing capabilities and enhancing the performance of applications that required matrix operations, graphics manipulation, and multimedia tasks. It set the stage for further advancements in CPU technology and paved the way for more immersive and visually stunning multimedia experiences.

Highlights:

• MMX technology enhanced Intel CPUs for faster multimedia processing and communication tasks.
• SIMD technique in MMX enabled parallel processing, significantly improving application performance.
• MMX applications include multimedia, video capture, graphical manipulation, and gaming.
• Intel's strategic decision shifted focus to system processors, offloading tasks onto the main processor.
• MMX-compatible CPUs, such as Pentium 2, offered simultaneous MMX and floating-point processing power.

FAQ:

Q: What is MMX technology? A: MMX technology is an enhancement to Intel CPUs that accelerates multimedia processing and communication tasks.

Q: What are the applications of MMX technology? A: MMX technology is widely used in multimedia applications, video capture programs, graphical manipulation software, and gaming.

Q: How does MMX technology improve application performance? A: MMX leverages SIMD parallel processing, allowing a single instruction to operate on multiple data elements simultaneously, resulting in faster computations.

Q: Can MMX technology handle complex graphics rendering? A: Yes, MMX technology greatly enhances graphics rendering capabilities, enabling immersive gaming experiences and visually stunning graphics.

Q: Did MMX technology affect software development? A: Yes, MMX technology required software developers to optimize their applications for parallel processing and MMX-specific instructions.

Q: Did MMX technology replace coprocessors? A: MMX technology integrated coprocessor capabilities into Intel CPUs, making standalone coprocessors unnecessary.

Resources:

1. Intel Website
2. Wikipedia - MMX Technology