Intel, SiFive Demo High-Performance RISC-V on Intel 4
Lots of comment here about Intel adopting RISC-V or Arm and what this means for x86. I think it&#x27;s worth considering the commercial issues from Intel&#x27;s (and AMD&#x27;s) perspective.<p>Firstly, adopting Arm would mean giving their blessing to an architecture that is now competing with x86 head on in key markets. That would only accelerate the demise of x86. So unless they have absolutely world beating products available on day 1, I don&#x27;t think that&#x27;s going to happen.<p>Secondly, adopting either architecture means that they would remove a key part of the &#x27;x86 moat&#x27; and open up competition from anyone else with deep pockets who can put together a top quality silicon design team.<p>So I think it&#x27;s likely that ultimately - whatever ISA they adopt - they will look for any way they can to distinguish themselves from the competition and avoid the commoditisation of their products.<p>Finally, just to add that supporting RISC-V - which is clearly competing successfully with Arm at the low end at the moment - helps to weaken a competitor so might be seen as a shrewd commercial move irrespective of any longer term plans.