But Paul Otellini, speaking to Wall St Analysts, said that was only going to happen when there was an OS and applications available for such a microprocessor, Reuters reports.

Just last month, Intel also hinted strongly that it has a 64-32 bit microprocessor in the offering, which is codenamed "Yamhill".

At last Computex, the INQUIRER spoke to an Intel engineer who told us that future technology would rely on something called Windows Elements.

This, he said, is a version of a Microsoft Windows operating system which will support 64-bit extensions.

We believe that Intel has had the ability to enable such 64-bit extensions for some time. But the move is difficult for Intel, first because of its commitment to another 64-bit technology, the Itanium, and secondly because it is on record as saying it had no plans to move to a technology similar to the one in AMD's 64-bit Athlon 64 and Opteron family.

Nathan Brookwood, senior analyst at Insight 64, told the INQ this morning: "Based on a dramatic increase in “64-bit chatter” coming from a variety of industry sources, Insight 64 is raising its 64-bit mindshare alert status from yellow, or elevated, to orange, or high, the second-highest level.

"We are raising this level based on our expectation that one or more semiconductor and/or system suppliers will announce or demonstrate new 64-bit capabilities within the next 45 days, resulting in increased mindshare for 64-bit systems. The nature of these announcements is still not clear, but we believe they will be big and (in some cases) unexpected. As far as we can tell, they will extend the range of alternatives available to purchasers of 64-bit computer systems, and allow for deployments of two-way 64-bit servers from top-tier suppliers at volume price points starting below $5,000".

Well Nathan, that's a trifle vague.

So when will it happen? Within 45 days? As Otellini told the analyst, when the software is ready. And when will the Windows software be ready? That's a question that no doubt AMD is asking every day of the week as well. µ

See Also
Intel confirms existence of X86-64 Yamhill chip
Senior Intel PR man talks 64-bit extension talk
Pentium V will launch with 64-bit Windows Elements
Intel won't produce AMD clone - Otellini
Is Microsoft delaying Win for AMD64 so Intel can catch up?
Existence of Intel Yamhill "almost a certainty"
Is Intel Yamhill to be AMD incompatible?