AMD and Intel Unite to Strengthen Future of x86 Architecture
In a surprising turn of events, long-time rivals AMD and Intel have joined forces to extend and strengthen the x86 architecture—a technology that has dominated computing since the 1980s. The two chip giants have established a collaborative effort, the "x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group," aimed at enhancing interoperability, smoothing integration, and making life easier for developers, ISVs, OS makers, and OEMs who rely on x86 technology. This collaboration marks a significant step towards simplifying and unifying the x86 ecosystem, with both companies sharing a common goal.
The announcement was made during a discussion with AMD CEO Lisa Su and Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, organized by Patrick Moorhead, founder of Moor Insights & Strategy, who conducted the interview. Moorhead, a seasoned industry analyst, noted the unprecedented alignment between the two companies on the future direction of x86.
Why x86 Architecture Collaboration Now?
The x86 architecture, historically led by Intel and supported by AMD, has been the backbone of both datacenter computing and personal computing for decades. However, rising competition from Arm-based processors—such as Apple’s M series and AWS’s Graviton, which have gained significant traction in mobile devices and datacenter environments—has prompted both companies to rethink their strategy. Arm's growing presence, including its integration into Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative, has spurred Intel and AMD to collaborate more closely to protect x86’s market share and relevance.
For years, Arm has employed a coordinated approach to align updates to its instruction set across its ecosystem. In contrast, x86's evolution has largely been driven by individual efforts from Intel and AMD. Now, with the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group, customers will benefit from a more cohesive, industry-wide strategy that could make x86 more competitive in an increasingly complex market.
Market Pressures Shaping X86's Future
In the interview conducted by Moorhead, both Su and Gelsinger discussed how broader industry trends—like the rise of AI, IoT, and advanced computing—are transforming the chip landscape. AI is increasingly embedded across devices ranging from smartphones to datacenter servers, and even in industrial and automotive subsystems. With more complex chip designs, including custom chiplets and 3D packaging, maintaining x86’s competitive edge requires a new level of cooperation between Intel and AMD.
Gelsinger reflected on the enduring appeal of x86, citing a story from his early days at Intel in the 1980s. “When I started architecting the 486 processor, my marketing manager came into my office and wrote "Compatibility’ on the whiteboard. That’s been x86’s value proposition for four decades: you can plug in old stuff, and it still works.”
The new advisory group will aim to expand that appeal by making the architecture more accessible and easier to integrate for software developers and OEMs across various sectors. As Su pointed out, “If we can align on architectural directions, we can continue to innovate while differentiating in implementation. This cooperation is a huge benefit for our customers and the ecosystem.”
Competition and Cooperation
One of the most striking aspects of the conversation moderated by Moorhead was the evident respect between the engineering teams at AMD and Intel. Su emphasized that despite years of competition, both companies are home to some of the best processor engineers in the industry. She added that high-level discussions between engineers from both firms have fostered a mutual understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Gelsinger noted that past efforts to develop different security models created unnecessary complexity for the broader ecosystem. He specifically highlighted the need for better alignment on security frameworks, something that has been a point of interest for Linux Foundation founder Linus Torvalds, among others.
Both CEOs agree that the collaboration does not signal an end to competition between the two companies but rather an opportunity to foster innovation within the x86 ecosystem. “We’re still going to compete,” Gelsinger said. “But we’ll also expand the capability of x86 together.”
Industry Support and the Future of X86
The x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group has attracted significant interest from major industry players, including Broadcom, Google, Microsoft, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Meta, Oracle, and Red Hat. During the call, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the importance of x86 to modern computing and expressed his support for the initiative to shape the architecture’s future.
Broadcom’s CEO, Hock Tan, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the pivotal role x86 plays in programming models and system architectures. With Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, Tan sees opportunities to strengthen x86 virtualization as part of this initiative.
Su pointed out that the advisory group represents the majority of the x86 market, giving it considerable influence over future directions. “We want to make it easier for the industry to innovate around x86,” she said.
Gelsinger concluded by stating that the objective of the advisory group is to position x86 for continued success. “We’re taking the world’s greatest software ecosystem and ensuring it thrives for decades to come.”
A Blueprint for Success- x86 Architecture Collaboration
As Moorhead noted during the interview, the success of this initiative will depend on whether Intel and AMD can live up to the spirit of cooperation they expressed. Both companies have a history of working together on industry standards, such as PCIe and USB, and now have an opportunity to bring that same level of collaboration to x86.
The advisory group’s success will also hinge on creating a decision-making process that is transparent and inclusive. Given the diversity of the group’s members, the challenge will be to ensure that all voices are heard, and decisions are made efficiently.
Moorhead observed that while Intel and AMD will continue to differentiate their products, the shared goal of advancing the x86 ecosystem could usher in a new era of innovation for the architecture. Both Su and Gelsinger agree that the market for x86-based products remains vast and growing, from datacenters to IoT and automotive applications.
As the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group begins its work, the industry will be watching closely to see how this collaboration shapes the future of computing. If successful, this partnership could help x86 maintain its relevance in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
