Intel’s x86S initiative has been abandoned

Intel has officially abandoned its plans for its own-developed x86S specification, a streamlined version of the x86 instruction set. This decision comes as the company shifts its focus towards collaborative development through the newly formed x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group with AMD and Google.

The x86S specification, first proposed by Intel in 2023, aimed to simplify the x86 instruction set by creating a 64-bit mode-only. However, Intel has now confirmed to Tom's Hardware that it's no longer actively pursuing this project. This move makes sense in the context of the recently established x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group, a collaborative effort to guide the evolution of the x86 architecture.

Any significant changes to the instruction set require careful collaboration to ensure compatibility and interoperability across the AMD and Intel processors. The x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group provides a platform for this collaboration, bringing together key stakeholders to ensure a unified and consistent approach to x86 development. This collaborative approach could also be advantageous as x86 faces increasing competition from Arm in the consumer and data centre markets. A fragmented x86 ecosystem could hinder its ability to compete effectively, while a unified front would improve its chances for continued success.

While the formation of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group signalled a shift towards collaborative development, it was unclear how it would impact Intel's existing x86S project. The decision to shelve x86S suggests that Intel prioritises working with AMD and other stakeholders to ensure any future changes to the x86 architecture are broadly supported and implemented consistently.

KitGuru says: The x86S project might be dead, but its objective of simplifying and modernising the instruction set could still influence the direction in which x86 will develop under the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group. However, any significant changes will require consensus among the various stakeholders, which could slow down the development pace.

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